India’s Response to China’s Naval Expansion in the Indian Ocean

Context:

• This article is based on an Editorial “China’s naval presence in Indian Ocean raises concerns for Indo-Pacific security” which was published in the Mint. China is expanding its naval power and expressing the aggressive posture in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Few months earlier, the Chinese research and survey vessel, Hai Yang Shi You 760, completed its four-month-long ocean bed mapping mission in the Indian Ocean and crossed the Malacca Straits, whose aim is to prepare for future submarine incursions into the Indo-Pacific. 

Structure and dynamics of the Indian Ocean 

• World’s third largest water body.
• A critical sea trade routes which connect the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia with the Asian continent to the east and Europe to the west.
• It includes some of the world’s most strategically important chokepoints, particularly energy shipping. 
  • The Strait of Hormuz, connects the Persian Gulf and the Middle East to Asia, Europe, and Africa via the Indian Ocean. 
  • The Bab-el-Mandeb is situated between the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and the Suez Canal. 
  • The Malacca Strait connects Southeast and Northeast Asia to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe via the Indian-Ocean.
• Mozambique Channel 
• Nearly 40 per cent of the world’s offshore petroleum is produced in the Indian Ocean.
• The region is home to some of the most intense conflict-prone areas of the world such as Israel and Palestine, Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
• The region occupies a central position between the major global powers, such as India, China, the USA, Australia, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
  • In the colonial era, the region occupied a central position between British, French and Portuguese.

Also read: India-China Relationship

China’s Blue Diplomacy: From Trade Routes to Naval Bases

• Trade: China, World’s largest manufacturing industry, exports 60% of its goods and imports 85% oil through the Indian Ocean region.
• Diplomatic Ties: China has had long-standing political and diplomatic ties with many littorals across the Indian-Ocean. 
  • China has built on its diplomatic and political presence in the region to strengthen military and economic partnership across all littorals in the Indian Ocean.
• Relations with Island Nations: China is the only nation with an embassy in each of the six islands in the Indian Ocean—Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, and Comoros. 
• Anti-Piracy Operations: China began to deploy its navy for anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and also deployed its submarines in support of its anti-piracy mission. 
• Military Facility: China also opened its first ever overseas military facility in the Indian Ocean, in Djibouti (2017) in the Horn of Africa.
• Alternative Sea Routes: Recent ocean bed mapping by Hai Yang Shi You 760 vessel had the intention of creating an alternative sea route via Lombok, Ombai-Wetar straits of Indonesia to reach the eastern shores of Africa through the South Indian-Ocean route. 

Also read: On Transparency And The State Of India-China Ties

What are the concerns of India in Indian Ocean region?

• Security Threat: Chinese nuclear submarines can enter the Indian Ocean via these straits without giving up their position, presenting a potential security threat to democratic powers such as India, Australia and Japan.
• Patrolling the Indo-Pacific Region: According to reports, the The People’s Liberation Army (PLA; Chinese) Navy is now the biggest naval force in size and numbers. There are concerns that Chinese carrier strike forces may start patrolling the Indo-Pacific by 2025.
• Expansion of Belt & Road Initiative (BRI): China is influencing island nations off the eastern coast of Africa by co-opting them in BRI and gifting off-shore patrol vessels in the name of maritime security is a threatening concern. 
• Debt Diplomacy: Many African countries such as South Africa, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, are under the economic debt of China, which further adds to the concerns over maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. Following face such a debt trap issue:
  • Bangladesh: Chittagong Port
  • Myanmar: Kyaukpyu Port
  • Pakistan: Gwadar Port
  • Sri Lanka: Hambantota Port

What are India’s maritime security measure in Indian Ocean?

• SAGAR: India has proposed “Security and Growth for All in the Region” (SAGAR) in 2015 for active cooperation among the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean region.
• IONS: The ‘Indian-Ocean Naval Symposium’ (IONS) seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the region.
• IORA: India has strong influence in the Indian-Ocean region where India-backed organizations like the Indian-Ocean Rim Association (IORA) have taken strong roots.
• String of Pearls: Against Chinese presence, India is developing its own ‘string of pearls’.
• Agreement with other nations: 
  • France: India signed a strategic pact with France to use each other’s warships across the Indian Ocean.
  • Seychelles: India also signed an agreement for a new base in Seychelles.
  • Oman: India negotiated military access to facilities at Oman’s port (Duqm) and airfields.
  • India signed an agreement with Singapore and Indonesia for naval cooperation.
• Security Grid: India is creating a security grid with the littoral countries to prevent militarization of the Indian Ocean.

The Path Ahead

• India should continue to follow a diplomatic and goodwill approach.
• India must develop a strategy to strengthen its deterrent position as India has a long coastline and strategic geographic location.
• India needs to define and follow a long-term military strategy.
• Capabilities must be developed in all domains.
• Maintaining peace and stability of the Indian ocean is very important.
• The militarization of the Indian-ocean must be prevented.
• A proper framework must be developed by all associated countries of the region with special focus on the littoral countries.

Conclusion

As China expands its naval presence in the Indian Ocean, India faces concerns over security, potential nuclear submarine threats, and the influence of Belt and Road Initiative. Through measures like SAGAR, IONS, and strategic agreements, India aims to safeguard its interests, emphasizing the need for a peaceful and cooperative framework in the region.