The Indian Ocean, a vast expanse of maritime territory, holds immense importance for both India and China. As a critical trade route connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe, it facilitates commerce, energy transport, and geopolitical influence. China’s “String of Pearls” strategy, characterized by a network of ports and facilities along its sea lines of communication, aims to enhance its presence and secure vital choke points. Meanwhile, India responds with its “Necklace of Diamonds” approach, forging strategic partnerships, bolstering naval capabilities, and safeguarding its interests. This geopolitical rivalry unfolds against the backdrop of shifting power dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.
63.1) Indian Ocean Importance for India and China:
●
Trade and Energy Routes: The Indian Ocean
serves as a crucial trade route, facilitating the movement of goods, energy
resources, and raw materials. It links major economies and influences global
commerce.
●
Energy Security: A significant portion of the
world’s oil and natural gas passes through the Indian Ocean. For energy-hungry
nations like China and India, securing these sea lanes is essential.
●
Geopolitical Influence: Control over the
Indian Ocean translates to geopolitical leverage. It allows nations to project
power, establish naval dominance, and shape regional dynamics.
63.2) China’s String of Pearls Strategy:
● Concept Origins: Coined in the early 2000s, the String of Pearls refers to China’s network of military and commercial facilities along its sea lines of communication.
● Facilities and Locations:
Key locations include major maritime choke points like the Strait of Mandeb, the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Lombok Strait, as well as strategic centers in Somalia and littoral South Asian countries such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.
○
Gwadar (Pakistan): China’s investment in the
port of Gwadar provides a strategic foothold near the Strait of Hormuz. It
offers access to the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.
○
Hambantota (Sri Lanka): China’s involvement in
the Hambantota port raised concerns for India. It lies close to major shipping
lanes.
○
Chittagong (Bangladesh): China’s interests in
Chittagong enhance its presence in the Bay of Bengal.
○ Maldives and Seychelles: China engages in infrastructure projects and naval cooperation in these island nations.
●
Strategic Intentions:
○
Naval Expansion: China seeks to protect its
sea lines of communication, secure energy routes, and expand its naval
capabilities.
○
Encirclement Concerns: India views the String
of Pearls as encircling its territory, potentially affecting its security and
regional influence.
63.3) India’s Necklace of Diamonds Strategy:
63.3.1) Strategic Response: India counters China’s moves with its Necklace of Diamonds approach.
63.3.2) Diplomatic Partnerships & Strategic Bases:
- India builds strong
relationships with countries along the Indian Ocean rim, including Mauritius,
Seychelles, Madagascar, and Oman.
- Changi Naval Base, Singapore: India signed an agreement in 2018,
providing direct access to this base for the Indian Navy. It allows refueling
and rearming while sailing through the South China Sea.
- Sabang Port, Indonesia: India gained military access to
Sabang Port, located at the entrance of the Malacca Strait—a crucial trade
route.
- Duqm Port, Oman: India secured access to this port, facilitating crude
imports from the Persian Gulf. It’s strategically positioned between China’s
pearls—Djibouti (Africa) and Gwadar (Pakistan).
- Assumption Island, Seychelles: India and Seychelles developed a
naval base here, countering China’s maritime silk route ambitions in Africa.
- Chabahar Port, Iran: India built this port, providing
access to Afghanistan and a trade route to Central Asia.
- These partnerships enhance India’s maritime reach and provide access to key ports and airfields.
63.3.3) Naval Investigation:
- India invests in naval modernization, including aircraft carriers, submarines, and surveillance capabilities.
- It conducts joint exercises with friendly navies to maintain a presence across the ocean.
- India aims to ensure security, stability, and freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean.
- It seeks to prevent any single power from dominating the region.
63.4) Geopolitical Rivalry Unfolds:
●
Power Dynamics: The String of Pearls and the
Necklace of Diamonds represent competing visions for the Indian Ocean’s future.
●
Balancing Act: Both nations balance economic
interests, security imperatives, and regional cooperation.
●
Evolving Landscape: As the global order
shifts, the Indian Ocean remains a theater where India and China vie for
influence.
In
conclusion, the String
of Pearls—a network of Chinese military and commercial facilities along sea
lines of communication from the Chinese mainland to Port Sudan—presents a
significant geopolitical challenge in the Indian Ocean region. In contrast,
India’s Necklace of Diamonds
strategy counters this influence by expanding its presence through strategic
partnerships, akin to sparkling diamonds adorning a necklace. These concepts
contribute to larger geopolitical dynamics, rivalry, and competition within the
Indian Ocean.
— Team Yuva Aaveg
(Praveen Kumar Maurya)
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