New Delhi: Pakistan is working on a major strategic plan to bolster its naval strength and expand its influence in the Indian Ocean region. Recently, Pakistan inducted its new Chinese-made ‘Hangor-class’ submarine into service in Karachi. Senior Pakistani naval officials are now discussing deploying it to the Bay of Bengal to maintain a presence there. This marks the first time since the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh that Pakistan is attempting to establish a significant naval presence in this region.
What is the historical significance of the ‘Hangor’ Submarine?
Pakistan plans to induct a total of eight ‘Hangor-class’ submarines into its fleet to replace its aging ‘Agosta’ submarines. The first submarine, ‘PNS Hangor ‘—commissioned in China in April—recently arrived in Karachi. These Chinese-built submarines will be equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, allowing them to remain submerged for much longer periods than conventional submarines and making them extremely difficult to track on radar.
The name ‘Hangor’ holds immense historical and symbolic significance for Pakistan; during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the original PNS Hangor sank the Indian warship INS Khukri in the Arabian Sea. This was the first instance of an Indian Navy warship being sunk in combat since independence and remains one of the Pakistan Navy’s most celebrated attacks. However, the sinking of INS Khukri did not significantly alter the outcome of the 1971 war. Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat, and the country was split in two. Indian forces decisively defeated the Pakistanis on land, in the air, and at sea, playing a pivotal role in the liberation of Bangladesh.
What is the Bangladesh Connection?
According to an India Today report, Pakistani Navy Commodore Umar Farooq described this new submarine as a “game-changer” during an event in Sri Lanka while returning from China. He clarified that the induction of this submarine would enable Islamabad to maintain its reach and presence in the Bay of Bengal.
What is the current state of ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh?
Pakistan’s ambition has surfaced at a time when civil and military ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh have seen significant improvement under the interim administration of Muhammad Yunus.
Relations between the two nations have undergone a major shift since the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024; Dhaka-Karachi flights have resumed using Indian airspace, and direct maritime trade has been restored for the first time since 1971.
Military ties have also grown closer; in November 2025, the Pakistani warship ‘PNS Saif’ visited Chattogram (Bangladesh) on a goodwill mission—the first such visit since 1971.
There are also reports that Dhaka is negotiating a defence agreement with Islamabad to institutionalize military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint exercises.
What are the implications for India?
The Bay of Bengal has traditionally been a vital strategic region for India; it houses India’s Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam and is crucial for trade and energy routes.
Under international maritime laws, foreign military vessels enjoy the freedom of navigation in international waters beyond a nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); therefore, this move by Pakistan could become a source of concern for India. However, strategic experts believe that this will not alter the balance of power in the Bay of Bengal, given the Indian Navy’s significant expansion over the past five decades—including its current operation of nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers.
Following the Indian Army’s victory over the Pakistani Army in 1971, the Pakistani Navy’s presence became largely confined to the northern Arabian Sea. In contrast, the Bay of Bengal has traditionally been a region where India holds a significant geographical and strategic advantage. With the Eastern Naval Command based in Visakhapatnam and the proximity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Bay of Bengal has become crucial for the trade of goods and energy between India and Bangladesh. The littoral states of this maritime region include India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. It has also gained geopolitical significance amidst the naval race and escalating competition within the Indo-Pacific region.
Furthermore, India is continuously expanding its naval capabilities around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Meanwhile, a new warmth has been observed in relations between India and Bangladesh since Tariq Rahman became the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh in February 2026.
