DefinePK

Abstract

Cooperative maritime diplomacy is the peaceful use of a nation state’s maritime forces to achieve foreign policy-related goals. This article examines Pakistan’s cooperative maritime diplomacy as an important component of Pakistan’s engagement efforts with Africa. Since the launch of Pakistan’s ‘Look Africa’ policy in August 2017, Islamabad has employed Pakistan Navy to play a key role to foster closer ties with Africa. The main objectives of this cooperative maritime diplomacy are building confidence, influences and partnerships across the Continent. In this regard, Pakistan Navy conducts its cooperative maritime diplomacy at three levels: goodwill visits, joint naval exercises, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations in Africa. The paper argues that Pakistan Navy cooperative maritime diplomatic efforts dovetail with state’s foreign policy goals to build strong economic and strategic relations with Africa and project Islamabad as trustworthy, influential and reliable partner in the Continent.||Key words: Pakistan Navy, Engage Africa, Naval Diplomacy, Port Calls, HADR Operations, CPEC.