RIYADH: In a new initiative that has caught the attention of strategic analysts, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Pakistan, is going to transform Gwadar port into a major strategic hub, which will have potential military importance in the future. Saudi Arabia’s planned investment in Gwadar and the proposal for dual-use Gwadar-Karachi coastal highway aims to increase freight traffic and strengthen logistics support for the port. According to intelligence sources, Saudi Arabia intends to develop integrated logistics parks for freight transportation in Karachi, Gwadar, Jeddah and Dammam. Additionally, a joint cruise and maritime tourism corridor is proposed to connect Karachi, Gwadar, Jeddah and Riyadh as part of the ambitious NEOM project (which is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030). This initiative not only strengthens Saudi Arabia’s regional connectivity but also positions Gwadar as a potential major maritime hub. Strategic Plan for GwadarThe plan is a comprehensive framework for maritime security and strategic cooperation. Reflects the viewpoint. A Regional Maritime Integration and Response Center will be established in Gwadar, which will act as a center for joint naval exercises, training and coordination with the navies of Iran, Oman, GCC countries and other regional navies. The center will also act as an emergency and disaster response centre. Intelligence sources have confirmed that through sister-port agreements with Jeddah and Dammam, Saudi Arabia wants to strengthen its hold in Gwadar, while Pakistan will get economic benefits. The proposal also includes seafood-related initiatives, such as fisheries export centres, seafood processing units financed by Saudi Arabia and joint ventures in shrimp and tuna farming, including hatcheries and processing plants. All of these fall under the Gwadar Free Zone. The Centre’s collaboration with the Pakistan Marine Academy will boost capacity building, provide specialized training and further strengthen the region’s naval capabilities. Riyadh’s Arabian Sea ambitions Experts say Saudi Arabia wants to build a military base in the Arabian Sea and China is behind it. If Saudi Arabia had no such intention, then why would it have signed a military agreement with Pakistan in September? “It is not just a matter of trade. Saudi Arabia has close ties with China, and in the next 8-10 years, as long as Xi Jinping is the president of China, they are planning to get involved in three potential conflicts, including Taiwan and India. To counter the Strait of Malacca, China is developing an economic corridor through Pakistan,” he warned. Alleged that Beijing’s involvement is clear. Experts said that even mosquitoes cannot operate in Pakistan without Beijing’s approval. Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in Gwadar is more than investment or trade; It is directly linked to long-term strategic interests in the Arabian Sea, the Strait of Hormuz and the Indian Ocean. This port may develop into a new multipolar maritime hub, which may pose challenges for India in the future. Its implications and further steps The Gwadar initiative highlights the delicate balance of commercial, strategic and security interests in the Arabian Sea. As Riyadh and Pakistan strengthen their cooperation, the region may see a major shift in naval influence and maritime logistics, which will have implications for regional powers, trade routes and security landscapes.
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