CLIMATE VULNERABILITY AND GEOPOLITICS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN: PAKISTAN’S ROLE IN MARITIME SECURITY AND REGIONAL STABILITY

Abstract

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has emerged as a critical geopolitical and environmental arena where climate vulnerability and strategic competition intersect, shaping maritime security and regional stability. This study examines Pakistan’s role in this evolving context by analyzing how climate change and geopolitical dynamics influence maritime governance. The research highlights that rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are intensifying non-traditional security threats such as illegal fishing, piracy, and climate-induced migration. Concurrently, geopolitical competition among major powers, including China, India, and the United States, has transformed the IOR into a strategic space of influence, particularly through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indo-Pacific strategies. Using qualitative analysis of secondary sources, this study evaluates Pakistan’s geostrategic significance, its maritime security contributions, and the challenges it faces. The findings suggest that Pakistan’s effectiveness in ensuring maritime security depends on integrating climate resilience with strategic policymaking, enhancing naval capacity, and strengthening regional cooperation.