India’s challenge posed by China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has become a significant strategic concern, particularly highlighted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs. The Indian Ocean’s importance has grown since the early 2000s due to rising trade networks and regional economies like India and China. This increased relevance has turned the region into a central hub for global commerce and security.
The escalation of piracy off the Somali coast has underscored vulnerabilities in critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), prompting regional nations to enhance maritime security measures. The Indo-Pacific framework further amplifies the strategic role of the Indian Ocean, linking it to the Pacific and positioning the area as a focal point in the changing dynamics of global power.
China’s approach in the Indian Ocean contrasts sharply with its more assertive tactics in the South China Sea. Instead, China has adopted a long-term strategy, gradually expanding its footprint through economic and political initiatives. Key efforts include strengthening ties with nations like Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh and investing in dual-use port infrastructure that serves both civilian and military purposes.
China has deployed research and survey vessels in the region, ostensibly to support maritime surveillance, raising concerns about potential threats to India’s maritime interests. The formation of the China-Indian Ocean Forum in 2022 further illustrates China’s ambition to lead regional governance, an initiative that notably excludes India.
A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee underscores the alarming trend of increasing involvement from extra-regional actors, particularly China. It highlights China’s development of dual-use infrastructure, the expansion of its naval fleet, and the establishment of a military base in Djibouti since 2017, all of which underscore its focus on projecting maritime power within the IOR.
Proximity to India’s maritime boundaries allows China to bolster logistical capabilities, thereby asserting dominance in the Indian Ocean. In response, India is enhancing its partnerships within the region, raising awareness about China’s intentions, and solidifying its role as a security partner. Notably, Sri Lankan assurances to refrain from allowing their territory to be used against India illustrate a growing collaboration.
India’s principled opposition to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains firm, seeking instead to project leadership through initiatives like the MAHASAGAR doctrine, aimed at fostering mutual security and growth in the region. India seeks to reinforce regional security through institutions such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, while actively preventing China from dominating regional dynamics.
Additionally, India is investing in the modernization of its naval capabilities, prioritizing indigenous development and operational readiness in the Indian Ocean. By positioning itself as a first responder and a preferred security partner, India aims to navigate the challenges posed by China’s strategic maneuvers and assert its leadership in the evolving maritime landscape of the Indian Ocean.
In conclusion, India’s approach to countering China in the IOR involves a combination of regional collaboration, proactive maritime security measures, and enhanced naval capabilities, establishing a framework for robust engagement in a strategically vital area.
