Introduction: India Pakistan Navies Take Centre Stage
India and Pakistan are signalling a strategic shift: their navies are stepping out from supporting roles in regional skirmishes to become frontline instruments in future conflicts. With echoes of the 1965 and 1971 naval campaigns, both nations appear to be preparing maritime forces that could define the next chapter in this tense rivalry .
On June 11, 2025, Al Jazeera highlighted a key trend: each side is guiding public attention toward naval preparedness—an unmistakable sign that the maritime domain is gaining prominence in what could unfold as a significant bilateral confrontation .
Naval Posturing: From Strategic Chatter to Operational Readiness
India’s Naval Strategy
India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, recently emphasised the navy’s role in any future response to Pakistani provocation. While aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Goa, he stated unequivocally that future aggression “will face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy” . This reflects a bold pivot in New Delhi’s strategic calculus—where naval dominance is no longer peripheral but central.
India demonstrated that shift decisively during Operation Sindoor in May—mobilising carrier groups, submarines, and missile-capable warships to the northern Arabian Sea within 96 hours of a major terror attack in Kashmir . This swift deployment was designed to send a clear message: maritime power has become a key element in India’s military deterrence.
Adding further clarity, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, warned Pakistan in no uncertain terms: any aggressive actions “know what we are going to do,” underscoring that India is prepared—even to strike Karachi—if pressed .
To underpin these declarations, India continues large-scale naval exercises such as TROPEX and Aakraman, which integrate naval, air, and coastal assets in prolonged war games across the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea . Civilian and military planning is also investing heavily in the Integrated Coastal Surveillance System (ICSS), adding layered radar coverage, optical sensors, and AIS networks to monitor vessel activity and prevent surprise incursions .
Pakistan’s Naval Response
Karachi, Pakistan’s primary naval base, is now under heightened alert due to India’s naval manoeuvres. Pakistani officials describe their strategic framework as “comprehensive and decisive,” committed to safeguarding sovereignty . While Islamabad denies direct military involvement in terror attacks, it is clearly reinforcing its maritime posture through troop deployments and coastal defences .
Notably, Pakistan hosted the massive AMAN‑2025 maritime exercise in February, drawing naval contingents from over 60 countries. The war-games, staged off Karachi, pushed anti-piracy, emergency coordination, live-fire, and search-and-rescue operations—highlighting Islamabad’s determination not to be overshadowed at sea .
Why Navies Now?
Several overlapping developments have elevated naval presence to the centre stage of Indo-Pak rivalry:
Strategic Deterrence Shift: Post-2025 conflict saw India rapidly transition from air-land operations to a maritime axis. Emboldened by the success of Operation Sindoor, officials are signalling next-level preparedness—right through the Arabian Sea . Geopolitical Entrenchment: Controlling the Arabian Sea means securing vital sea lanes. Each nation seeks strategic leverage, projecting power beyond their borders—extending influence into Middle Eastern and global waterways. Modernization & Capacity: India’s fleet expansion—INS Vikrant, naval aviation, and advanced submarines—meet obsolescent Pakistani assets; Pakistan counters with investments in coastal defence radars and international naval collaboration through exercises like AMAN. Boundary Constraints: With heavily fortified land borders and Line of Control (LoC) tensions, the maritime theatre offers strategic flexibility—and avoids instant provocation that air or ground action would trigger.
Potential Flashpoints at Sea
If naval posturing turns into evoking real conflict, several scenarios could unfold:
Carrier Strike Group vs. Port Threats: India’s carrier groups could pose threats directly to Karachi, prompting Pakistan to deploy submarines and coastal missile batteries—potentially leading to pitched maritime battles. Submarine Skirmishes: Both sides operate diesel-electric and, in India’s case, nuclear-capable submarines. Covert submarine warfare beneath the surface of Arabian Sea becomes a chilling prospect. Blockades & Chokepoints: Geopolitical clashes could include blockades of Arabian Sea choke points (e.g., near the Strait of Hormuz) or interference with shipping—impacting regional trade security. Misinformation & Cyber Warfare: As seen during the brief war in May, misinformation magnetises public sentiment. At sea, false alarms could propagate via satellite, AIS tampering, or even hacked coastal radar feeds.
The Role of Diplomacy
Despite the heated rhetoric, a fragile ceasefire declared on May 10 continues to hold—though both governments remain on high alert. International mediation, particularly by the US, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, helped de-escalate things, pushing talks forward in neutral venues .
Ultimately, while both nations flex maritime might, neither seems ready for a full-length sea conflict. For now, the naval theatre remains an arena for signalling and deterrence—rather than full-on war.
Conclusion
India and Pakistan’s latest moves suggest a strategic sea shift. Navies are now in the spotlight, supported by aerial and coastal defences. With each side running robust drills and building surveillance infrastructure, the Arabian Sea is set to become the next chessboard. These developments reflect more than firepower—they represent an evolving maritime doctrine that marries deterrence with strategic messaging.
If diplomacy fails and tensions escalate, the next India–Pakistan showdown could very well be naval by design—not accident. For now, both nations are preparing for that possibility—choosing visibility at sea over unseen threats.