After 1971, now again Pakistan’s nefarious maritime plan! What game is Pakistan playing by deploying Hangor in the Bay of Bengal?

In the 1971 war, the Bay of Bengal was not just a maritime front for Pakistan, but was the area where its biggest strategic weakness was exposed. The Indian Navy imposed such a blockade by cutting off the sea routes to East Pakistan that it became impossible to deliver military help and supplies to Dhaka. After five decades, Pakistan once again has its eyes on the same Bay of Bengal. The only difference is that this time it has modern Hangor class submarines made with Chinese technology in its hands.

Pakistan’s growing naval ambitions, improving relations with Bangladesh and China’s activism in the Indian Ocean have created new concerns in India’s strategic circles. The question is, is this just naval modernization or a long-term strategy to change the geography of the 1971 defeat? It is important to understand the bigger game behind the deployment of Hangor.

Marine wound of 1971 defeat

In fact, in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the deployment of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Command and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant had broken the backbone of Pakistan’s logistics and military supplies. The result was that West Pakistan could not help its eastern army and the new nation Bangladesh came into existence. Military experts believe that in Pakistan’s strategic thinking, the Bay of Bengal is still a reminder of that painful chapter of 1971.

Why has interest in Bay of Bengal increased now?

After five decades, Pakistan is again looking towards the Bay of Bengal. The biggest reason for this is the new Hangor class submarines being built with the help of China. Pakistan has signed an agreement to acquire eight Hangor class submarines from China. They are equipped with modern sensors, long-range strike capability and advanced stealth technology. Pakistan Navy is seeing these as a means to increase its presence in a large part of the Indian Ocean instead of limiting it only to the Arabian Sea.

How dangerous is the Hangor submarine?

Hangor-class submarine China’s Type-039B is considered to be based on Yuan Class design. Its biggest strength is Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, due to which it can stay underwater for a long time. Such submarines are used for monitoring enemy naval activities, pressure on sea routes and strategic attacks during war. If Pakistan succeeds in taking them to the Bay of Bengal in future, then a new challenge may arise for India’s eastern maritime security.

Why is the Bangladesh connection important?

In recent years, there has been some softening in the relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Political contacts have increased and the scope of communication between the two countries has also increased. On the other hand, China is already a major defense and investment partner of Bangladesh. In such a situation, the question is being raised in the strategic circles of India whether any new framework of maritime cooperation can be developed between China-Pakistan-Bangladesh in future? At present there is no direct evidence of this, but in the context of regional balance of power this possibility cannot be completely ignored.

China’s big game and Pakistan’s role

India’s concern is not only Pakistan. The real concern is China’s maritime strategy, which is often seen in the context of the “String of Pearls”. China has already strengthened its presence in Gwadar Port, Hambantota Port and other ports in the Indian Ocean region. If Pakistan’s Hangor submarines work in coordination with Chinese naval strategy in the future, pressure on India may increase in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.

What is the challenge for India?

For India, the Bay of Bengal is not only a strategic area but also an important route for trade and energy supply. The Andaman-Nicobar Islands, Eastern Naval Command and surveillance of the Strait of Malacca are an important part of India’s maritime security. In such a situation, it is India’s priority to keep an eye on the increasing activity of any external power. This is why the Indian Navy is continuously strengthening its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, maritime surveillance and deployment in the eastern region.

Does Pakistan want to repeat the 1971 game?

The truth is that India has still not forgotten the big wound it gave to Pakistan 55 years ago. This is because Pakistan’s naval capability is still much smaller than India’s and its primary responsibility is limited to the Arabian Sea. But modern submarines like Hangor give it new capabilities to operate in remote maritime areas. Therefore, its interest in the Bay of Bengal is not being seen as just military expansion, but as part of a broader China-Pakistan strategic equation.

In the same sea area which had decided the defeat of Pakistan in 1971, today it is seen trying to register its presence with the help of new strength and new allies. For India, this is not just a submarine program but an indication of the changing geopolitical equations in the Indian Ocean.