The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), highlighted both by Chinese and Pakistani leadership as the flagship project of Beijing's ‘Belt and Road (BRI) Initiative,’ is essentially a long-term plan for closer economic partnership. It promises immense benefits not only for the two nations directly involve but for the entire region, especially in terms of trade, transit and transportation. But at the same time, the development of sea-ports as part of BRI in general and Gwadar as part of CPEC in particular has provided a context to India to magnify its ‘concerns’ and aim for a renewed naval build-up. Chinese larger strategy is also seen by experts in the region and beyond as starting a new maritime contest in the so-called Indian Ocean. In this background, it seems that CPEC would lead toward increased maritime politics and contestations not only between Pakistan and India but would also involve China and US. Islamabad needs to carefully evaluate its options and develop its strategic response accordingly, involving but not limited to continuous development of its naval capability and an even closer maritime cooperation with China.