Strengthening the “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership,” the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-N) Ship DAQING arrived at Karachi Port on Wednesday to participate in Exercise SEA GUARDIAN IV. The joint naval drill, scheduled from March 25 to April 2, 2026, comes at a critical juncture for regional maritime security as the wider Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global shipping lanes.
Upon entering Pakistani waters, the Chinese vessel was accorded a ceremonial welcome and escorted into the harbor by Pakistan Navy (PN) ships, symbolizing the deep-rooted military synergy between the two nations.
PLA(N) Ship DAQING arrived at Karachi to participate in PAK-CHINA Joint Exercise SEA GUARDIAN IV (25 Mar-2 Apr 26). The ship was accorded a ceremonial welcome and escorted into port by PN ships, reflecting strong bilateral ties. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/qwXciy1mid
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) March 25, 2026
Professional Synergy: Harbour and Sea Phases
Exercise Sea Guardian IV is designed to test the operational readiness and tactical coordination of both navies through a rigorous multi-phase schedule:
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Harbour Phase: Focused on professional exchanges, tabletop simulations, and coordination meetings between senior naval commanders to refine “interoperability.”
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Sea Phase: Features high-intensity maneuvers, including gunnery firings, anti-surface warfare drills, and coordinated patrols in the North Arabian Sea.
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Strategic Objective: The exercise aims to enhance the collective capacity of both navies to protect Vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and counter non-traditional maritime threats.
Exercise SEA GUARDIAN IV includes harbour and sea phases with professional exchanges, gunnery firings and coordinated patrols. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and reflects Pak-China commitment to regional peace and maritime stability. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/INf1Xq4HC1
— DGPR (Navy) (@dgprPaknavy) March 25, 2026
Regional Context: Maritime Stability Amidst Conflict
The timing of Sea Guardian IV is highly significant given the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Securing the Arabian Sea: As global oil prices face volatility, the Pakistan-China naval partnership serves as a stabilizing force in the North Arabian Sea, ensuring that territorial waters remain secure.
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Commitment to Peace: Officials from both navies reiterated that the exercise is not directed against any third party but reflects a shared commitment to “regional peace and maritime stability” during a period of unprecedented global tension.
The “Gudwana” Connection
The naval drill coincides with the permanent securing of the Gudwana Enclave by the Pakistan Armed Forces and the ongoing mediation efforts by Field Marshal Asim Munir in the US-Iran conflict. The presence of the PLA(N) in Karachi underscores China’s continued support for Pakistan’s security posture on both its land and sea frontiers.
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