Christian Bueger


A new site of naval diplomacy: The inaugural Aman Dialogue

Navies from the Indian Ocean region and beyond have a new maritime security forum: the Aman Dialogue. Linked to the bi-annual naval exercise Aman (Peace) by the Pakistani Navy, the new format continues the earlier maritime security conference held in Karachi with an extended scope.

At the 2025 inaugural edition, which I had the pleasure to attend, representatives of 60 states, including many European, African and even South Pacific nations met to discuss the future of maritime security. The Aman dialogue is an important forum for naval diplomacy, and agreeing on common understandings of the challenges at sea and how to respond to them.

What makes this forum truly remarkable is its ability to bring together diverse naval powers – including China, NATO member states, the United States, Iran, and Russia – all under one roof.

I had the pleasure to intervene with two talks at the event. I introduced the key insights of our recent UNIDIR report. Maritime security governance is in need of recalibration and better global strategy is needed. Mega trends, such as automation, digitalization, climate change, and the proliferation of new technologies also lead to new pressing challenges, such as maritime cyber security. In particular, small and developing state need assistance to cope with them.

As part of the closing session I argued for the importance of recognizing that maritime security means that there is a global responsibility to protect the oceans and maritime activities.

It was wonderful to engage with naval professionals from around the world and enjoy the hospitality of the Pakistani navy and its think tank – the National Institute for Maritime Affairs (NIMA).

The proceedings of the event are available on Youtube (day 1; day 2). A summary of my talk was published by Defence Web.


India’s new sea power. Reflections from Milan 2024

India’s role in global politics is evolving, and the country is increasingly emerging as an international leader. This also applies to global ocean politics and naval affairs. India is a major sea power, and its navy increasingly acts as the guardian for the Indian Ocean, protecting trade and supporting its neighbors.   

Experiencing Sea Power in Practice

In February, I had the opportunity to experience India’s new sea power in practice. The Indian navy invited me to give the opening talk at their bi-annual multinational naval exercise, called Milan. Milan is a Hindu word that can be roughly translated into English as referring to ‘meeting’, ‘gathering’ or ‘union’. Over 50 states participated in Milan. Held in the city of Visakhapatnam, the home of the navy’s Eastern Command, the event included a seminar, an exhibition, a city parade, and an exercise at sea.   

Group Picture of participants in the maritime seminar of Milan 2024

Sea Power Today

Sea power is often equated with military capabilities, measured in numbers of ships, staff, or high-end technology, with the aircraft carrier often assuming the role as the main status symbol, given only seven nations possess that asset. Milan put some of the military strength of India’s navy on display, with the country’s two aircraft carriers along with a broad range of other assets — fighter planes, helicopters, special forces — being presented to the public.

Yet, contemporary sea power means more than counting and comparing military capabilities. Milan documented at least three forms of contemporary sea power: convening power, innovation, and responsibility.

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