Conflict and cooperation in the Indian Ocean: Pakistan's interests and choices

Abstract

The Indian Ocean is studded with many potentially explosive areas. One such area is Pakistan's neighbourhood which includes India, Iran, Afghanistan, China and the Soviet Union. Because of the strategic and commercial importance of the area, the United States is also deeply involved there. Recent developments in the region such as the Khomeini revolution in Iran, the takeover of the Soviet-backed group in Afghanistan and the subsequent deployment of Soviet forces in order to quash the tribal resistance movement, and the rapid changes in the Indian political scene, have invoked fears for the future security of Pakistan