National May 8, 2021 Islamabad: The US Navyâs navigation operations in Indiaâs exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is an attempt to assert its dominating role in the Indian Ocean Region and carries a message for the coastal states in the region, especially major maritime powers India and China. This was the crux of the thoughts shared by panelists in a webinar on âFreedom of Navigation Operations Patrol (FONOP) â Issues and Legalitiesâ, which was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad. Chaired by IPS Vice Chairman, former ambassador Syed Abrar Hussain, the session was addressed by Commodore (r) Syed Mohammad Obaidullah SI(M), former executive director, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation and founding director of National Centre for Maritime Policy Research, and Commodore (r) Baber Bilal SI(M), director, National Institute of Maritime Affairs, Islamabad.