Navy Drills Planned by India and Pakistan in Arabian Sea Following Joint Military Operations
In the Arabian Sea, on August 11 and 12, 2025, India and Pakistan conducted separate naval exercises, with India's drills off the Gujarat coast and Pakistan's exercises near its maritime boundary. The exercises took place approximately 60 nautical miles apart, amid heightened geopolitical tensions following recent cross-border conflicts and terror attacks.
Timeline
The naval exercises were conducted roughly three months after a military standoff that began in late April 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and subsequent retaliatory strikes by India and Pakistan.
Objectives
The exercises by both navies appear linked to routine maritime defense preparedness but are also seen as displays of military readiness given the recent border tensions and previous terrorist incidents. India's Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025 as a response to terror attacks, sets the backdrop, with naval drills supporting overall military posture and maritime security efforts. Pakistan's drills similarly reinforce its territorial surveillance and response capabilities within its maritime zones.
Implications
The close timing and proximity of these exercises raise concerns about maritime safety due to the risks of operational errors or unintended escalation in the crowded and strategically vital Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea is a crucial trade and energy corridor, making the simultaneous military activities subject to close international security monitoring.
These drills reinforce continuing military vigilance and rivalry between the two countries, reflecting heightened tensions despite ongoing dialogue attempts. They also hint at strategic signaling to each other and regional actors.
Background
The conflict between India and Pakistan began after Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed 26 innocent tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam area on April 22. In response, India repelled the subsequent Pakistani retaliation and struck multiple Pakistani airbases. The ceasefire between the two nations was eventually reached after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called his Indian counterpart.
The Indian Navy's exercises are planned in response to a directive from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had earlier halted a planned BrahMos strike on Karachi port during a conflict in May 2025. India's Operation Sindoor was a decisive military offensive targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) have been issued for both navies' respective exercises to restrict air traffic during the exercises. The exact location of Pakistan's naval exercises is not specified in the article.
Given the tense geopolitical climate, the general news surrounding renewed naval exercises by both India and Pakistan in the Arabian Sea is of great concern, particularly as these exercises occurred closely in time and space. These military drills, while purportedly routine, can be seen as sports of preparedness, given the escalating tensions following recent cross-border conflicts and terror attacks. Simultaneously, international sports news might cover India's Operation Sindoor, an offensive launched earlier in May 2025 as a response to terror attacks, and Pakistan's subsequent naval exercises, which further reinforce their territorial surveillance and response capabilities.
