The India's Strategy to Counter China!
China's String of Pearls, Debt Trap Diplomacy and India's Necklace of Diamonds Strategy.
In 2004, US researchers referred to China’s emerging military and commercial network as the “String of Pearls,” initially considering it just a theory. However, within a few years, China’s goals became evident. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched by China in 2013, sought to impact a significant portion of global trade and population. Although the BRI’s primary focus was on building connections between China, Central Asia, Europe, and East Africa through trade and maritime routes, its underlying strategic aim was to assert control over the Indian Ocean Region.
Why is the Indian Ocean Region so crucial? Since 2000, this region has outpaced global economic growth, with trade increasing at a rate of 10% per year. According to the LKI think tank, by 2025, the Indian Ocean Region is expected to contribute 20% of the world’s GDP. It also accounts for 40% of global offshore oil production, with two-thirds of the world’s oil passing through this area. Additionally, this region supplies half of the world’s coal demands. Surrounded by land on three sides, the Indian Ocean's warm waters support a rich marine ecosystem, home to economically significant fish species. The global fish market is valued at over $223 billion. Given these factors, it’s clear why any nation would seek to dominate this region—it supports economic strength, which in turn bolsters military power. However, with India’s strong presence in the area, China faces significant challenges in achieving such dominance.
Let’s break this down: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seems to form a “String of Pearls” around India, suggesting a strategy to encircle and potentially pressure India, beyond just economic gains. This project is crucial for China’s military objectives as well. From the naval base in Djibouti to Pakistan’s Gwadar port, and from Myanmar’s Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone to Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, China appears to be setting a strategic trap around India. The Djibouti base, for example, gives China access to the Bab-Al-Mandab Strait, a critical chokepoint for sea traffic from the Suez Canal, linking Europe to Asia. A common thread in the regions where China has established influence and infrastructure is the presence of corrupt governments, leading to weakened national security. But the real question is whether this “String of Pearls” strategy can truly alter the balance of power.
From a broad perspective, China has successfully established a strong presence and strategic positioning with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, the key issue with this approach is that without maintaining strategic relationships based on mutual respect and reciprocity, these alliances are often short-lived. Ukraine’s situation with the West serves as a prime example—when a nation is undermined by corruption, it loses leverage in its relationships with global powers, leaving it vulnerable against stronger adversaries.
To counter China’s approach, India has significantly revised its geopolitical strategies. While China's strategy is known as the “String of Pearls,” India’s response is termed the “Necklace of Diamonds,” which highlights India's robust position that resists being choked. While China is taking advantage of Sri Lanka and Myanmar, India is focusing on building strategic partnerships with ASEAN countries, strengthening its influence in the region.
For example, India and Singapore signed a strategic agreement that allows Indian Navy ships to refuel and rearm at Changi Naval Base. This base is located near the Singapore Strait, which serves as the gateway to the Strait of Malacca from the South China Sea—a crucial route for China's economy. The agreement had two key benefits: enhanced naval operational speed and strategic cooperation.
Before this agreement, Indian Navy ships had to go through a lengthy process, involving communication between the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs before seeking permission from Singaporean authorities. However, with this agreement, operational efficiency has greatly improved, as the Indian Navy can now directly contact Changi Naval Base.
The second key aspect is strategic cooperation. Unlike exerting pressure or corrupting Singapore, India is fostering a relationship based on mutual cooperation. In exchange for access to the port, India has committed to providing logistical support to Singaporean vessels. This arrangement emphasizes the importance of the ability to refuel and rearm, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations.
A similar important agreement was signed with Indonesia in 2018, granting India both economic and military access to Sabang Port. This port holds significant strategic value as it serves as the gateway to the Strait of Malacca from the Indian Ocean side.
India now has significant influence over one of the most crucial waterways and the gateway to China's economic lifeline. A major confidence-building measure with ASEAN countries was the India-Philippines BrahMos missile deal. This agreement was a significant achievement for India’s domestic defense industry and marked a key milestone in India’s Act East policy. The Philippines, which has been defending its territories against Chinese aggression since the 1990s, saw a significant boost in its coastal defense capabilities with the acquisition of BrahMos. This deal also sparked interest from other ASEAN countries, frustrated by Chinese actions, as they seek to enhance their own defenses. South Asian nations have been regularly facing challenges from the Chinese Navy and maritime militia.
In September 2020, India signed an intriguing agreement with Japan called the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA). This agreement allows the Indian Military and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces to exchange supplies and services. While it was officially described as a measure for humanitarian assistance, the underlying purpose is to enable the use of each other’s military bases. A similar agreement was signed with Australia in June 2020, both during the LAC standoff. These agreements marked a significant step in India’s commitment to the QUAD alliance. This focus was on the East, but now let's shift our attention to the West.
India’s Strategy to Counter China in West
India is developing the Chabahar port in Iran to counterbalance China’s Djibouti port and Pakistan’s Gwadar port. However, India's strategic activities in Oman, particularly at Ras-Al-Hadd, are especially noteworthy. After signing a defence agreement in 2008, India established a listening post there, just 400 kilometers from Gwadar, which reportedly monitors communications from the Pakistani Navy. This is a key component of India’s presence in the Gulf region. Additionally, Indian ships have access to Oman’s Duqm port, providing India with a strategic reach into the Persian Gulf and control over the traffic passing through the Horn of Africa.
Further south, India has set up another listening post in Madagascar to monitor the crucial Mozambique Channel, where China has significant strategic interests. In the same region, India plans to establish a military base on the Seychelles’ Assumption Island. This base would secure Indian ships in the southern Indian Ocean and deploy a Quick Reaction Force to address any potential threats. The Seychelles, an archipelago, is located near one of the most pirate-infested areas in the world.
India has also supported over 20 infrastructure projects in the Seychelles, coordinated by former Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag. However, plans for the Indian base faced opposition from Wavel Ramakalwan, who was the leader of the opposition at the time. With the change in government in 2020, and Wavel Ramakalwan now serving as President of the Seychelles, the situation remains complex.
Geopolitics often reveals its harsh realities, where even significant contributions can sometimes be overshadowed by setbacks. A case in point is the situation with Chinese ships docking in Sri Lanka, despite India’s substantial aid to Sri Lanka during its difficult times. While Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port was leased to China, India secured a different strategic asset: in 2017, India obtained a 40-year lease on Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa Airport, located just a few kilometers from Hambantota.
Despite being largely underutilized, this airport presents an opportunity for India. It could potentially be converted into a drone base, allowing India to monitor Chinese activities at the Hambantota port. This situation underscores the constant struggle for balance in international relations and highlights India’s rapid and strategic efforts to maintain its influence and counterbalance China’s moves.
When people think of the Maldives, they often imagine vacation destinations, but India is focusing on enhancing the Maldives’ security infrastructure. As part of its efforts to improve and train the Maldives’ law enforcement, India provided significant support by handing over 10 coastal radars in March 2022. This investment aims to strengthen the Maldives’ maritime security and surveillance capabilities.
When you piece everything together, the strategic framework resembles a “Necklace,” symbolizing India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” in response to China’s “String of Pearls.” While this Necklace may not be entirely unbreakable, it certainly poses challenges for China. Geopolitical strategies are long-term endeavors, and each country’s ambitions are supported by carefully planned and robust strategies.
Some of the sources for this article apart from books : https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/... https://www.maritimegateway.com/the-s... https://www.csis.org/belt-and-road-in... https://aii.unimelb.edu.au/wp-content... https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/31... https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/sites/d... https://www.orfonline.org/research/ho... https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/india... https://www.india.com/news/india/sing...
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