This article will discuss China's presence in the Indian Ocean and how India is addressing it. The 'String of Pearls,' often associated with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a strategy the Chinese government uses to connect the world.
The Indian Ocean is bordered by four continents: Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica. It accounts for approximately 20% of the Earth's sea surface, and 80% of the global trade in oil and goods transits through it, making the Indian Ocean strategically critical and important.
Why is command over the sea important?
Command over the sea allows a nation's ships, goods, military, and commerce to move globally at will. As most trade is conducted via ships, controlling straits or choke points in the ocean grants a nation control over world trade, helping it to pursue its interests.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is actively seeking to gain control over these straits and choke points.
Djibouti
The Suez Canal, a key transit point between Europe and Asia, handles approximately 12% of total global trade and 30% of maritime traffic, saving time and money for many countries. China is establishing a presence near this critical point. Djibouti, located in the Horn of Africa (East Africa), is very close to the Strait of Bab al-Mandab, which connects the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. This strait is strategically vital as many ships pass through it. China maintains a military base and a port for the PLA and PLA Navy in Djibouti. In a future conflict, China could potentially block these choke points.
Gwadar Port
Gwadar port in Pakistan is being developed and utilized by China to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of the BRI, involves China building an extensive highway and railway network that will link Gwadar, Karachi, Lahore, Kashgar (Xinjiang Province), and central Asia. The corridor passes through Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir), a disputed territory. China is also assisting Pakistan in building energy plants. The deal was signed in May 2013.
China’s presence in Gwadar is a strategic move, not just a trade one. The port gives China direct access to the Arabian Sea, bypassing the longer and more vulnerable route through the Strait of Malacca. It also provides China with a strategic military and commercial foothold right next to India, forming part of the larger Chinese strategy to encircle India, known as the "String of Pearls."
Hambantota Port – Sri Lanka
Another critical 'pearl' is the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. Constructed under the Belt and Road Initiative, Sri Lanka defaulted on Chinese loans and had to lease the port to China for 99 years in 2017. This grants China a long-term strategic position close to Indian shores. It is a geopolitical move as much as an economic one; China could potentially convert this civilian port into a naval one rapidly if needed.
Myanmar – Kyaukpyu Port
In Myanmar, China is developing the Kyaukpyu port, along with oil and gas pipelines that run from the port deep into China’s Yunnan province. This enables China to completely bypass the Malacca Strait for energy transport. This expansion demonstrates China's slow but steady tightening of its grip across the Indian Ocean from the East.
Maldives and Seychelles
China has been actively engaging with small island nations like the Maldives and Seychelles. In the Maldives, China has invested heavily in infrastructure, including bridges and ports. While presented as development projects, these facilities could potentially be used later for naval logistics or surveillance. Similar reports of quietly expanding Chinese naval interests have emerged from Seychelles.
India’s Counter Strategy
India is not passive and is acutely aware of the growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean. India has launched several initiatives to ensure maritime dominance and counterbalance China’s moves.
India’s partnership with countries like the USA, Japan, and Australia under the QUAD framework is vital. These nations regularly conduct joint naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure a free and open sea route.
India is also developing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a strategic military base to monitor and control shipping routes in the eastern Indian Ocean. These islands are near the Strait of Malacca, a critical choke point for Chinese shipping. With improved radar systems, airstrips, and naval bases, India can closely track China’s naval movements.
Furthermore, India has signed agreements with countries like Oman, Iran (Chabahar Port), Mauritius, Madagascar, and France for access to military bases or port facilities. This establishes a network of Indian presence across the ocean, formally known as Mission SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
Final Thoughts
The Indian Ocean is more than a body of water; it is central to global trade and energy flow. China's increasing presence and the construction of ports and bases under the Belt and Road Initiative are driven by a goal of domination, not just development. From Djibouti in Africa to Gwadar in Pakistan, and from Sri Lanka to Myanmar, China is strategically placing its 'pearls.'
India recognizes this silent game of dominance and is countering the threat through strategic alliances, a strong naval presence, and the development of its island territories. This is a maritime chessboard where every move is crucial, as the nation that controls the sea ultimately controls the power.
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