ISLAMABAD: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari virtually attended the 3rd China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Monday, a dialogue Beijing says is aimed at connecting governments, financial institutions and businesses to promote regional integration in the development of the blue economy.

Over 200 delegates from 20 countries and international organizations are participating in the event, which is themed: “Future of the Blue Indian Ocean Development, Practices of the Global South” and taking place from Dec. 15-17.

China says the forum represents its concrete actions in supporting development cooperation for the Global South, with the aim of advancing the Global Development Initiative and driving development for countries in the Global South, particularly nations in the Indian Ocean and small island developing countries. The forum is also meant to be a key driver for the sustainable development of the blue economy.

However, as China has significantly expanded its engagements in the Indian Ocean region over the past three decades, concern has risen among American and Indian strategists that its growing naval presence, together with its use of so-called “debt-trap diplomacy,” might provide it with meaningful military advantages far from its shores.

“Zardari has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promote regional marine cooperation and ensuring peace, progress and sustainability in the Indian Ocean region,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said after the president addressed the forum virtually. 

“President stressed the need for collective action to harness the ocean’s potential while addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, pollution, and ecosystem degradation.”

Zardari said Pakistan was ready to partner with all stakeholders to promote marine cooperation and ensure that the Indian Ocean region remained a “bastion of peace, progress, and sustainability.”

Pointing to Pakistan’s efforts to enhance its blue economy, Zardari said it had formulated the National Maritime Policy, launched The Living Indus Initiative, a program by the government of Pakistan and the United Nations to restore the ecological health of the Indus River, and started other initiatives focusing on sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.

The development of the southwestern Gwadar Port under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would transform the port city into a regional connectivity hub to drive trade and maritime economic growth, Zardari added. 

“He praised Pakistan’s partnership with China, under the Belt and Road Initiative, emphasizing its role in knowledge exchange, technological advancement and marine conservation,” Radio Pakistan said. 

“The President commended China’s Global Development Initiative and CIDCA’s efforts to embed sustainability in the Forum’s goals. He expressed appreciation for the inclusion of capacity building and island nations in the Forum’s agenda, saying that it aligned with Pakistan’s vision of transnational collaboration and environmental stewardship.”

China has an extensive network of military satellites but just one dedicated military base, and no air cover from land or sea, for Indian Ocean naval deployments.

In its October annual report on China’s military, the Pentagon lists 11 potential Chinese bases on the ocean’s fringes, including Pakistan, Tanzania and Sri Lanka. Those locations reflect Chinese diplomatic and commercial outreach under Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative.

But these have not emerged as hard military assets, with neither a permanent Chinese army presence nor publicly known guarantees of access in a conflict. The Pentagon report notes, in language used for the first time this year, that China still “has little power projection capability” in the Indian Ocean.

BRISBANE: Jason Gillespie said Monday he felt no longer wanted as Pakistan’s Test coach and was left out of major decisions, having quit the post last week.

The 49-year-old Australian former fast bowler was appointed in April for two years but differences with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took their toll.

Gillespie said he was not informed of the decision to remove performance coach Tim Nielsen, also an Australian.

“Nielsen was told his services were no longer required and I had zero communication from anyone and that was the moment I thought: well, I’m not really sure they actually want me to do this job,” Gillespie told Australian broadcaster ABC in Brisbane.

He added: “For a decision to then be made (about Nielsen) and the head coach doesn’t get a text message, phone call or email about a decision that’s a pretty big decision.

“It just left me thinking well I’m really not sure if the PCB wants me.”

The PCB accepted Gillespie’s resignation, the second in two months after former South Africa opener Gary Kirsten quit as white-ball coach over differences with selectors.

Gillespie had the worst possible start to his coaching stint when Pakistan were whitewashed 2-0 by Bangladesh.

That was followed by an innings defeat against England in the first Test in Multan.

The defeat prompted the PCB to make sweeping changes, removing Gillespie from the selection panel and dropping star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Pakistan won the remaining two Tests to seal the series 2-1.

Gillespie refused to join the team for the two-Test series in South Africa starting in Centurion from December 26.

Gillespie said he was upset over the reduction of his role.

“In essence I was basically hitting catches and that was about it on the morning of a game,” he told ABC.

“You want to be able to have clear communication with all stakeholders, including selectors and knowing what the team is as head coach at least a day before the game so you can help plan and prepare the players.”

The exits of Gillespie and Kirsten means Pakistan have now had seven different coaches across formats in the last three years.