China’s Expanding Strategic Presence in IOR is a Challenge for India: Parliament Committee Report

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• Parliament Committee Report has highlighted that China’s expanding strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region is a challenge for India.

Major Highlights of the Report

• China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Debt-Trap Diplomacy: The report discusses the BRI for its debt-trap diplomacy, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• China is investing heavily in infrastructure projects — ports, airports, and logistics hubs — which serve dual-use purposes (civilian + military).
• These projects often lead to unsustainable debt in partner countries, increasing their strategic dependence on China.
• Expansion of Chinese Naval Power in IOR: 
  • Increased naval vessel deployments in the region in terms of both number and duration.
  • Set up a military base in Djibouti (2017) — its first overseas base.
  • Developed dual-use infrastructure at key maritime choke points to support naval logistics.
• Maritime Domain Awareness Activities: Deployment of Chinese research and survey vessels to gather sensitive oceanographic and marine data under the guise of scientific research.
• Strategic Port Development Near India: China is actively involved in developing ports and infrastructure in littoral states of the IOR, including those close to India’s maritime boundaries.
  • The objective aligns with China’s long-term goal of becoming a maritime power.
• India’s Response and Regional Diplomacy:  India is working with regional partners to raise awareness about the long-term implications of Chinese infrastructure projects.
  • Emphasize the risks to internal and regional security from China’s military use of these assets.
• Sri Lanka’s Assurance to India: In 2024, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed:
  • Sri Lanka will not allow its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security or regional stability.
  • The Indian government clarified that its bilateral relations with countries like Sri Lanka are independent of their ties with China.
• India’s Position on BRI and the CPEC: India has a principled opposition to the BRI.
  • Core concern: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a BRI flagship project, passes through illegally occupied Indian territories in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
  • India has repeatedly conveyed its objections to China and demanded a halt to such activities.
• India on Militarisation of the IOR: India asserts that Militarisation of the Indian Ocean Region is not desirable and will adversely impact security in the Indian Ocean and the wider Indo-Pacific.
  • This reflects India’s stance against military usage of Chinese-funded infrastructure in the IOR.

Relevance of Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• Historical Neglect and Resurgence: It was once a vital trade hub and civilisational bridge, but was neglected during the Cold War due to minimal conflicts, absence of great power contestation.
  • 21st century revival is driven by geoeconomic and geopolitical shifts.
• Key Factors Contributing to Its Resurgence:
  • Rise of New Economies: India and China’s emergence has revived trade networks in IOR and the region is becoming a new economic growth centre.
  • Maritime Security Threats: Piracy (especially near Somalia) threatened global shipping lanes and led to increased efforts to secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).
  • Indo-Pacific Construct: The Indo-Pacific combines the Indian and Pacific Oceans into one strategic theatre and highlights the centrality of IOR in shaping new global maritime order.
    • This geographical reimagination enhances IOR’s visibility in global diplomacy and security.
  • Control over the IOR can shape:
    • Trade flows (especially oil & gas),
    • Strategic maritime chokepoints (like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb),
    • Military posturing and base logistics.

Chinese Maritime Advances in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• Strategy: Unlike its aggressive naval posture in the South China Sea, China has adopted a calibrated, long-term strategy in the Indian Ocean.
  • Chinese presence in the IOR is non-overt but steadily increasing, raising India’s strategic concerns.
• Three Key Drivers of China’s IOR Strategy: Deepening Political and Economic Engagement: China is building political proximity and economic influence with littoral states like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh.
  • Investments in port infrastructure (e.g., Hambantota, Gwadar, Kyaukphyu) raise concerns about dual-use capabilities.
  • Objective: Gain strategic leverage over Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) vital to India.
  • Presence of Research Vessels: Chinese research/survey ships have docked in Sri Lanka, Maldives, and patrol the IOR. These vessels:
    • Collect underwater surveillance data.
    • Aid submarine deployment and mapping capabilities.
    • Pose a threat to India’s Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) and maritime security.
  • Launching Alternative Regional Frameworks: Creation of the China-Indian Ocean Forum (2022) highlights Beijing’s ambition to shape regional discourse and norms.
    • Sideline India’s central role.
    • India’s exclusion from the forum is strategically notable.

India’s Strategic Responses

• Diplomatic and Security Leadership: India positions itself as first responder in disasters.
  • India is a preferred security partner in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and development.
• Launch of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects India’s strategic rebranding in the IOR.
• India earlier resisted external major powers’ presence, but now embraces partnerships with like-minded countries.
• Naval Modernisation and Indigenous Development: India is modernising naval capabilities:
  • Commissioning indigenous warships (e.g., INS Vikrant, INS Visakhapatnam).
  • Boosting maritime domain awareness and power projection.
  • This strengthens India’s force posture and maritime deterrence in the IOR.

Conclusion

• Contest for Primacy in the Indian Ocean: China’s expansionism is a direct security threat to India.
  • China’s actions aim to reshape the maritime order in the IOR in its favour.
  • India’s core strategic interests are anchored in the IOR, making this a high-stakes contest.
• India’s Emerging Doctrine: Emphasises regional leadership, strategic partnerships, maritime capability-building, opposition to external encroachment, and especially from non-littoral powers like China.
• While China pursues a subtle and long-term approach, India’s multi-pronged and proactive strategy seeks to preserve regional balance and assert its natural leadership in the Indian Ocean Region.

Source: TH