{"id":46561,"date":"2025-06-30T20:41:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T15:11:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=46561"},"modified":"2025-06-30T20:42:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T15:12:15","slug":"chinas-strategic-ior-presence-challenge-india-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-06-2025\/chinas-strategic-ior-presence-challenge-india-report","title":{"rendered":"China\u2019s Expanding Strategic Presence in IOR is a Challenge for India: Parliament Committee Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Parliament Committee Report has highlighted that <strong>China\u2019s expanding strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region<\/strong> is a challenge for India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Major Highlights of the Report<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Debt-Trap Diplomacy: <\/strong>The report discusses the BRI for its debt-trap diplomacy, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>China is investing heavily in infrastructure projects \u2014 ports, airports, and logistics hubs \u2014 which serve dual-use purposes (civilian + military).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These projects often lead to unsustainable debt in partner countries, increasing their strategic dependence on China.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expansion of Chinese Naval Power in IOR:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased naval vessel deployments in the region in terms of both number and duration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up a military base in Djibouti (2017) \u2014 its first overseas base.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Developed dual-use infrastructure at key maritime choke points to support naval logistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Domain Awareness Activities: <\/strong>Deployment of Chinese research and survey vessels to gather sensitive oceanographic and marine data under the guise of scientific research.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strategic Port Development Near India: <\/strong>China is actively involved in developing ports and infrastructure in littoral states of the IOR, including those close to India\u2019s maritime boundaries.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The objective aligns with China\u2019s long-term goal of becoming a maritime power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Response and Regional Diplomacy:&nbsp; <\/strong>India is working with regional partners to raise awareness about the long-term implications of Chinese infrastructure projects.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Emphasize the risks to internal and regional security from China&#8217;s military use of these assets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sri Lanka\u2019s Assurance to India: <\/strong>In 2024, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sri Lanka will not allow its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India\u2019s security or regional stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian government clarified that its bilateral relations with countries like Sri Lanka are independent of their ties with China.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Position on BRI and the CPEC: <\/strong>India has a principled opposition to the BRI.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Core concern: <\/strong>The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a BRI flagship project, passes through illegally occupied Indian territories in Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India has repeatedly conveyed its objections to China and demanded a halt to such activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India on Militarisation of the IOR: <\/strong>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.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This reflects India\u2019s stance against military usage of Chinese-funded infrastructure in the IOR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Relevance of Indian Ocean Region (IOR)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Historical Neglect and Resurgence: <\/strong>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.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>21st century revival is driven by geoeconomic and geopolitical shifts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Factors Contributing to Its Resurgence:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rise of New Economies: <\/strong>India and China\u2019s emergence has revived trade networks in IOR and the region is becoming a new economic growth centre.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maritime Security Threats: <\/strong>Piracy (especially near Somalia) threatened global shipping lanes and led to increased efforts to secure Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indo-Pacific Construct:<\/strong> 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.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This geographical reimagination enhances IOR\u2019s visibility in global diplomacy and security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Control over the IOR can shape:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Trade flows (especially oil &amp; gas),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic maritime chokepoints (like the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, Bab el-Mandeb),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Military posturing and base logistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chinese Maritime Advances in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strategy: <\/strong>Unlike its aggressive naval posture in the South China Sea, China has adopted a calibrated, long-term strategy in the Indian Ocean.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chinese presence in the IOR is non-overt but steadily increasing, raising India&#8217;s strategic concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Three Key Drivers of China\u2019s IOR Strategy: Deepening Political and Economic Engagement:<\/strong> China is building political proximity and economic influence with littoral states like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh.<ul><li>Investments in port infrastructure (e.g., Hambantota, Gwadar, Kyaukphyu) raise concerns about dual-use capabilities.<\/li><li><strong>Objective:<\/strong> Gain strategic leverage over Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) vital to India.<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Presence of Research Vessels: <\/strong>Chinese research\/survey ships have docked in Sri Lanka, Maldives, and patrol the IOR. These vessels:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Collect underwater surveillance data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aid submarine deployment and mapping capabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pose a threat to India\u2019s Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) and maritime security.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Launching Alternative Regional Frameworks:<\/strong> Creation of the China-Indian Ocean Forum (2022) highlights Beijing\u2019s ambition to shape regional discourse and norms.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sideline India\u2019s central role.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s exclusion from the forum is strategically notable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Strategic Responses<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Diplomatic and Security Leadership: <\/strong>India positions itself as first responder in disasters.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is a preferred security partner in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Launch of MAHASAGAR <\/strong>(Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects India\u2019s strategic rebranding in the IOR.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India earlier resisted external major powers&#8217; presence, but now embraces <strong>partnerships with like-minded countries.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Naval Modernisation and Indigenous Development: <\/strong>India is modernising naval capabilities:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Commissioning indigenous warships (e.g., INS Vikrant, INS Visakhapatnam).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Boosting maritime domain awareness and power projection.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This strengthens India\u2019s force posture and maritime deterrence in the IOR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Contest for Primacy in the Indian Ocean:<\/strong> China&#8217;s expansionism is a direct security threat to India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China\u2019s actions aim to reshape the maritime order in the IOR in its favour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s core strategic interests are anchored in the IOR, making this a high-stakes contest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India\u2019s Emerging Doctrine:<\/strong> Emphasises regional leadership, strategic partnerships, maritime capability-building, opposition to external encroachment, and especially from non-littoral powers like China.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While China pursues a subtle and long-term approach, India\u2019s multi-pronged and proactive strategy <strong>seeks to preserve regional balance and assert its natural leadership in the Indian Ocean Region.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/international\/chinas-expanding-strategic-presence-in-indian-ocean-region-is-a-challenge-for-india-parliament-committee-report\/article69748570.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Parliament Committee Report has highlighted that China\u2019s expanding strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region is a challenge for India.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>India\u2019s Strategic Responses<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Diplomatic and Security Leadership: India positions itself as first responder in disasters.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">India is a preferred security partner in HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), and development.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Launch of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region) reflects India\u2019s strategic rebranding in the IOR.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">India earlier resisted external major powers&#8217; presence, but now embraces partnerships with like-minded countries.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-06-2025\/chinas-strategic-ior-presence-challenge-india-report\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46561","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46561"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46561\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46573,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46561\/revisions\/46573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46561"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}