China has been increasingly aggressive and dismissive of global laws in recent years. Some examples of this behavior include the border disputes with India, the ongoing aggression in the South China Sea, and denying other countries access to EEZ benefits.
China’s hegemonic behavior is a major problem for the global community. China’s disregard for established laws and norms poses a threat to international peace and security.
The Chinese government’s aggressive push to undermine India and dominate the Indo-Pacific and IO regions, at all costs, has been a cause for concern for India.
Because China continues to act aggressively on the border and follows its policy to encircle India, attempts by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve these issues amicably have not been successful.
The South China Sea dispute is another prime example of China’s hegemonic behaviour. In defiance of an international tribunal, which ruled in 2016 that China has no legal basis for its claim to most of the strategic waterway, Beijing has continued to build military facilities on artificial islands in the area.
China’s attitude on resolving border issues with India is also a cause for concern. After the Doklam stand-off in 2017, both countries have been engaged in a protracted border dispute in the Himalayas.
The Chinese government’s policy of “encirclement” of India through its “string of pearls” strategy is also a major cause for concern. This strategy involves the construction of a series of naval and military bases in countries surrounding India, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The expansion of the Chinese Navy and its forays into the Indian Ocean are also part of this strategy. This is aimed at countering India’s growing influence in the region.
China appears to be sending a clear message to India that it will be China’s way or the highway. Now is not the time for India to submit or lose sight of China’s nefarious intentions in the region.
This article will look at China’s behaviour in the past and how it has affected its relationships with India and other nearby countries. It will also explore China’s policy of surrounding India and what this could mean for India. The article will then offer some recommendations on how to improve the situation.
Indo-China Relationship
Historically, India and China have had a long history of friendship, and the cultural and religious links between India and China made brotherhood for an extended period.
After the end of World War II and India’s independence, the relationship between Indian and Chinese leaders changed. This was made worse by the Tibet issue in 1950.
Since then, India and China have had a confrontationist relationship. These emerging Asian Giants also have their share of security challenges, which come from either longstanding territorial disputes or mounting economic, military, and political rivalries.
Today, China is using its economic, political, and military power to build stronger relationships with countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and more. This has caused tension between India and China in terms of politics and security.
It’s essential to point out that China is working against India’s influence in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions because it wants to be the only power in this area–clearly at India’s expense.
China and India’s Neighbouring Countries
As China and India together make up one third of the world’s population, the future of Sino-Indian relations is crucial not only to these two countries, but also to Asia as a whole and the rest of the world.
China has a global conquest strategy in mind. China recognized the importance of the Indian Ocean long before India did. Since 2005, when the phrase “string of pearls” was first coined, China has built a chain of friendly ports along India and into Africa: Myanmar in the east, Sri Lanka in the south, and Tanzania and the Maldives in the west.
Gwadar in Pakistan is at the center of this web, where China’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will continue towards Kashgar in Xinjiang province.
China’s military expansion in the Indian Ocean is not only about securing its own trade routes. It is also about containing India. In recent years, China has rapidly increased its naval presence in the Indian Ocean. It now has more warships in the region than India does. In addition, China has established a base in Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa, just a few miles from India’s base in Somalia.
China’s naval expansion is part of its larger strategy to become a global superpower. In order to achieve this goal, China must be able to project its power across the world. The Indian Ocean is a key piece of real estate in this quest for supremacy.
While India has been slow to respond to China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, it is beginning to take steps to protect its interests. In 2016, India and the United States signed an agreement that allows the U.S. Navy to use Indian bases for refueling and resupply. This agreement gives the United States a foothold in the region and sends a message to China that India is not going to concede the Indian Ocean without a fight.
The 21st century will be an era of great power competition. The Indian Ocean will be one of the key battlegrounds in this fight for supremacy.
China has been aggressively pursuing a global conquest strategy and has had its eye on the Indian Ocean for a long time. In order to contain India and become a superpower, China has been rapidly expanding its naval presence in the region.
New Delhi sees Beijing’s growing presence in Bangladesh, Nepal, and other neighboring countries, as well as its regular incursions into Indian territory, and feels anxious about being surrounded. India is not economically or militarily stronger than China; however, the current global situation gives India a chance to take on a leading role at the international level.
String Of Pearls
String of Pearls is a theory used to describe the bilateral relationship between India and China. The term appears to have been in use previously, but Energy Futures in Asia: Final Report published in 2004 made it famous.
The String of Pearls theory was proposed by American energy consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton in 2004. The theory suggests that the Chinese government is creating a network of ports and other infrastructure investments in countries around the Indian Ocean in order to secure access to energy resources and create a “string of pearls” around India.
China has been investing in a number of countries around the Indian Ocean, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Kenya. These investments have raised concerns in India that China is trying to encircle India and gain a strategic advantage in the region.
While the String of Pearls theory is mostly speculative, it has generated a great deal of debate in both India and China. Some analysts believe that the theory is exaggerated and that China’s investments in the region are purely economic. Others believe that there is a more sinister strategic motive behind Beijing’s actions.
The String of Pearls theory has led to increased tensions between India and China, and has resulted in both countries increasing their military presence in the Indian Ocean region. In recent years, there have been a number of territorial disputes between India and China, including a stand-off in the Doklam Plateau in 2017.
The “string of pearls” refers to the Strait of Malacca, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Maldives, the Strait of Hormuz and Somalia in geostrategic parlance. China also includes Bangladesh and Myanmar in its strategy under this term.
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca links the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, via Malaysia and Singapore, on one side and Indonesia on the other. It is not far from the Nicobar Islands. At its narrowest point, the Strait is only 1.7 miles wide.
The Strait of Malacca is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Over 50,000 vessels pass through it each year, carrying about a quarter of the world’s trade. The Strait is also an important route for oil tanker traffic.
The Strait of Malacca is home to a variety of marine life. Dolphins, whales, and dugongs can be found in its waters. Turtles come to the Strait to lay their eggs on its beaches.
The Strait of Malacca has a long history. It has been an important trade route for centuries. The first Europeans to sail through the Strait were the Portuguese, in the early 16th century. The Dutch and the British also used the Strait for trade.
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow body of water that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is located between Malaysia and Indonesia and is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Over 50,000 vessels pass through the Strait of Malacca each year, carrying about a quarter of the world’s trade. The Strait is also an important route for oil tanker traffic.
The Strait of Malacca is critical to China’s energy demands. Over 80% of Middle Eastern oil comes through this passage. Concerned about India’s naval power in the Indian Ocean, China has been working hard to develop good relationships with countries in the area.
In 1971, while China was hinting at joining Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War, India threatened to block the Strait of Malacca. In 1999, during the Kargil war, India restricted supply to Pakistan – almost entirely blocking Karachi port – utilizing its dominance in the Indian Ocean. To turn the tide against India, China is on a mission.
China-Bangladesh
In the past, China and Bangladesh didn’t have the best relationship– especially during Bangladesh’s independence movement. But after 2010, things changed for the better to such a degree that China is now one of Bangladesh’s closest allies.
The countries’ ties involve economic activity, defense and different political arenas. Another key element to their relationship is that Bangladesh forms part of China’s BRI (Belt and Road Initiative.)
However, China often meddles in Bangladesh’s foreign relations, and this has created strife between the two countries. For example, China recently warned Dhaka against joining the QUAD coalition, saying that if Bangladesh went ahead with it, bilateral relations would be ‘substantially damaged’. This warning was met with harsh criticism from many quarters in Bangladesh.
The Belt and Road Initiative is China’s attempt to bolster its geopolitical influence in South Asia. If Bangladesh joins Quad Plus, it would be a major setback for this initiative, with serious implications for India as well.
In the Bay of Bengal, China established the port of Chittagong in Bangladesh. It has given China a foothold and stake in the Bay of Bengal. This port is important for Chinese trade because it serves as a route for significant portions of Chinese commerce. China wanted Bangladesh to allow it to establish a small naval base near Chittagong, and it had been pushing hard for that goal.
China-Myanmar
Myanmar and China’s relationship has been tumultuous since 1949. However, in the late 1980s, Myanmar began to face Western-led economic sanctions after a coup which led to a number of economic reforms. This development also brought Myanmar closer to China.
These developments, combined with the fact that China was already a close ally of Myanmar’s military rulers, provided enough incentive for China to form an alliance with Myanmar.
The China-Myanmar relationship has several dimensions, including geo-political, economic, and military. Because Myanmar is located on the eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal, it is important to China’s regional interests.
Myanmar is also a member of BRI and is therefore vulnerable to the Chinese Debt Trap. There is also a lack of confidence on the Myanmar side, owing to China’s historical involvement in supporting rebel groups in Myanmar via cash or weapons. These groups have also been accused of disrupting some Indian projects in Myanmar.
Although Myanmar has been attempting to reduce its over-reliance on China since 2011, it has not been very successful. As of now, China has several advantages in Myanmar that should be a cause of concern for India.
China has established a presence in Myanmar. A gas pipeline of 2,400 kilometers connects China and Myanmar. It is also said to have a military base on Coco Island in Myanmar, although this has not been confirmed.
China has been providing economic assistance to Myanmar in the form of loans and investment. In 2010, China loaned Myanmar $8 billion for infrastructure development. China is also one of the biggest investors in Myanmar, with Chinese companies investing in sectors such as mining, oil and gas, and telecommunications.
In 2012, China and Myanmar signed a free trade agreement. The following year, Myanmar joined the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
China is also working with Myanmar on the Belt and Road Initiative, a vast infrastructure project that aims to connect China with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Myanmar has been a key part of China’s strategy to build a “string of pearls” of naval bases in the Indian Ocean, which would give Beijing greater control over sea lanes that are vital for Chinese trade and energy supplies.
China has created a naval base close to the Strait of Malacca on Cocos Keeling Island, which is an isolated section of Australia.
China-Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has close economic, geopolitical, and defense ties with China. Sri Lanka has collaborated on several BRI projects with China, which are cause for concern in India.
However, now Colombo is struggling to pay off its loans after falling into a Chinese debt trap that was staged in advance. The different ways it is paying off the loans include leasing its strategic assets and creating Special Economic Zones outside of its legal jurisdiction.
Sri Lanka will need to reverse its China ‘bandwagoning’ foreign policy and develop a ‘balance’ in order to have a considered viewpoint on geopolitical and regional security issues arising from its close ties with China.
But until that happens, it is going to be an unwelcome headache for India. Sri Lanka has long been a close ally of India, but the years between 2012 and 2014 saw an increase in Chinese activity there.
Situated on the southeastern part of Sri Lanka, China developed a port at Hambantota. A Chinese company not only built the port but also gained control to manage it.
China-Maldives
China and the Maldives, in January 2022, signed a slew of important bilateral deals, including ones on developing and maintaining infrastructure in the Indian Ocean archipelago and a visa-free travel agreement for Maldivians wanting to visit China.
The Chinese government has been putting pressure on the Maldivian government to cooperate more in BRI.
Smaller states often have their foreign policy choices limited by the structure of the international system and balance of power. China has limited India’s outreach in Maldives, and as a result, India has lost some strategic projects to China. The repercussions of this on India’s security are self-evident.
China-Pakistan
China has a close relationship with Pakistan because it is an important partner in the region. Pakistan is beneficial to China in many ways, including its role in countering India. The increased hostility between China and other countries in the region has only made Pakistan more important to China.
Additionally, India has been forging new security partnerships including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) with the U.S., Australia that are seen as a threat to China. This has only increased Beijing’s reliance on Islamabad.
China has provided several sophisticated weapons platforms to Pakistan, helping it increase its combat potential against India. China’s advances in Pakistan/Sindh/Balochistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, disguised as BRI and the importance attached to it by China to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), are well known. They pose a significant risk to India’s national security.
Apart from CPEC, the Gwadar port in Pakistan has also become increasingly important to China. Originally, the Gwadar port was conceived as part of a joint venture between Iran, Pakistan, and India; however, India withdrew from the project due to security concerns. The project is now called the Iran-Pakistan-China pipeline and runs through Gwadar on its way to China.
The CPEC is evolving into a key geo-strategic and trade asset for China. At present, it only accounts for two percent of China’s trade with Pakistan. However, as China intends to route much of its Middle Eastern and African trade through Gwadar port and the CPEC, the amount is expected to rise considerably. This will increase Pakistan’s importance to China as a trade and transit route.
In addition, the CPEC is also seen as a way for China to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca, through which most of its energy imports from the Middle East pass. The Strait is vulnerable to closure in the event of conflict or piracy, as happened in the past.
The CPEC will also provide China with an alternative route for its oil imports from the Middle East, as well as access to the Indian Ocean. This is seen as vital for China’s “string of pearls” strategy to protect its maritime trade routes.
In addition, the CPEC is seen as a way to boost the economies of China’s less developed western regions. By investing in infrastructure and industrial parks in Pakistan, China hopes to create new markets for its goods and services, as well as jobs for its surplus labor.
The CPEC is also seen as a way to forge closer ties between China and Pakistan. The two countries have long been allies, but the CPEC is seen as a way to further cement that relationship.
The CPEC is opposed by India, which sees it as a way for China to encircle and contain India. India also fears that the CPEC will give China access to the Indian Ocean, where India is the dominant power.
The United States has also expressed concerns about the CPEC, seeing it as a way for China to extend its influence in the region. The Trump administration has been particularly critical of the project, and has threatened to withhold aid to Pakistan if it does not do more to stop terrorist groups from using Pakistani territory to launch attacks on American troops in Afghanistan.
China-Afghanistan
China’s current goals in Afghanistan are to stop the expansion of the conflict and civil war, promote negotiations between Afghans, and prevent terrorist forces from gaining power.
Afghanistan is crucial to China’s interests due to its location between Pakistan and Iran. As such, Beijing has been working diligently to deepen its ties with Russia, Iran, and Pakistan. These countries are integral components of the Belt and Road (BRI) Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
China has been attempting to build ties with all important actors in Afghanistan and, if necessary, accommodate the Taliban in order to discourage their support for Muslim Uighurs in China’s Xinjiang province.
China has successfully barred India from playing a role in Afghan affairs, which spells trouble for India’s security.
What Should Be India’s Response
Even though it will not be an easy job, India has no choice but to resist China’s unjust actions at this time. India would need military planners with clear and creative ideas, as well as a strong political will and innovative management of foreign affairs.
India must recognize that investing in neighboring nations’ economies is critical to establishing a soft power advantage against China in the region.
To prevent China’s aggression and belligerence, India must consider the following:
Improvement in geopolitical, cultural. and military relationships with BIMSTEC and other Courtiers in IOR.
India must make considerable investments in the countries of IOR to improve their infrastructure and meet their military requirements, in order to reduce their dependence on China.
If India wants to see the vision of the QUAD realized, it needs to start taking some initiative itself.
India should acknowledge the significance of India’s connection with Russia and take steps to reassure Russia in order to strengthen that bond.
On priority, India should upgrade the capabilities of its defence forces and Coastguard.
There are four points that highlight how India can stay relevant to its neighbourhood, while tackling China on the side.
First, India must comprehend the Chinese operating system, especially in nations located in South and Southeast Asia. By endorsing democracy and multi-polarity, India will make itself more crucial in the region.
In order to progress, India must create a unique economic model different than that ofChina offers to its neighbouring countries.
India, though not on the same level as China economically or militarily, can improve its neighbourhood by being more open to trades and investment. India must also focus on being an information technology leader and not a follower.
In order to create a more stable and prosperous South Asia, India must pursue a different economic model than that offered by China.
The neighbouring countries can develop themselves with India’s help. They can use our technical and knowledge power to do this.
Third, India needs to have ‘diplomacy for development’, which can be achieved in the following areas:
Infrastructure Diplomacy: India should engage in infrastructure diplomacy, which is sustainable infrastructure investment that features India’s quality investment in the host country. This helps gain public goodwill and trust of the neighbourhood without alienating the public or government. International Solar Alliance and physical connectivity can be considered as part of this effort.
Public Goods Diplomacy: Disaster relief and rehabilitation involving recipient nations being assisted without any expectation of payback would be ideal. It will not only relieve suffering and provide rescue, comfort, and rehabilitation, but it will also generate public goods and revenue. Here, India’s Neighbourhood first policy must be backed by more substantial resources than it currently has.
Food and Fuel Diplomacy: Food and fuel diplomacy are important tools for countries undergoing economic duress. By providing food and fuel assistance, India can help its neighbours survive and sustain their economies. This is a valuable tool for diplomacy, as it provides tangible benefits to the people of these countries. Additionally, it builds goodwill and strengthens relationships with these nations. India has recently earned a lot of goodwill in Sri Lanka through this type of diplomacy.
Health Aid Diplomacy: Health aid diplomacy is a vital tool that can offer vaccines, medical supplies, and other forms of assistance to help promote affordable health care in India and its neighbours. By providing these essential services, health aid diplomacy can help improve the overall health and wellbeing of people in these regions. Additionally, it can also serve as a valuable resource for promoting tourism to these areas, which can have a positive economic impact on local communities.
Educational Aid Diplomacy: Educational aid diplomacy can help students in neighbouring countries attend higher education institutions in India. This is done through public-private-partnerships, and it can also help establish cultural diplomacy.
India should create a South Asian Common Currency to make exchanging trade easier with other countries in the region. This would include Russia and Iran, even though tensions exist between India and Pakistan. Having a common currency would make it simpler for businesses in these countries to do transactions, and it could help boost the economy overall.
How India is Countering China
India has recognized China’s String of Pearls strategy as a major threat. India has made numerous efforts to enhance its ties with its maritime neighbors.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed India’s Look East Policy to the Act East Policy in order to place more importance on developing infrastructure in countries located in Eastern Asia.
In order to balance out China’s power in Myanmar, India has extended approximately 1.75 billion dollars in the form of grants and credit.
With an eye on China’s reported development of deep sea military infrastructure at Sonadia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bangladesh and received his counterpart in New Delhi. India has also promised USD 4.5 billion credit to Bangladesh only in April this year.
The Indian government has been more involved with Sri Lanka in the past two years. This has slowed down the pace of Chinese economic activity in Sri Lanka.
India has made every effort to counteract Beijing’s strategy to isolate India by establishing favorable ties with the countries surrounding China.
India has made a lot of diplomatic investments and entered into multiple agreements with countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. These countries are all around China. In addition, India has strong relationships with Japan, South Korea and Russia.