String Of Pearls. What is India's Counter Strategy?

STRING OF PEARLS

The string of pearls is  a geopolitical agenda that reflects the chinese diplomatic and strategic  thoughts in the INDIAN OCEAN REGION by connecting through a system of Chinese military and commercial activities around the Sea Lines of Communications that started from mainland China to the Port of Sudan in Africa.

China is trying to encircle India for the future warfare and conflict,This is because 70 % of trade of oil and product containers of  china is from Indian ocean via strait of malacca  ,and Indian Ocean is dominated by Indian Navy.

To counter the Indian navy and future conflict, China is building ties with countries like Pakistan,Maldives,Srilanka,Bangladesh,Myanmar,Indonesia,Malaysia and singapore.

String of pearls

 PEARLS:

• PAKISTAN (GWADAR PORT)

China  made a naval base in Gwadar, Pakistan, as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This port will help China to tackle India from the west side during any war-like situation or any conflict to keep pressure. China sells fighter jets, submarine and financial support to Pakistan so that it can give a strong counter to the Indian attack.

• BANGLADESH (CHITTAGONG PORT)

Bangladesh considers China an all-weather friend and trusted ally. During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Dhaka in 2016, the two countries established a strategic partnership. According to this, China has committed US$ 31 billion worth of projects in Bangladesh making it the second biggest recipient of money in South Asia after Pakistan. China’s involvement in Bangladesh ranges from a share in the Dhaka Stock Exchange, to building infrastructure, industrial complexes and power plants. The Chinese-built “Chittagong port” can be converted into a military port, depending on the equations between India-Bangladesh and China.Bangladesh gives the land-locked Yunnan province of China an opportunity to gain access to the Bay of Bengal.

• SRI LANKA (HAMBANTOTA AND COLOMBO PORT)

China has invested a lot in Hambantota port,by which Sri lanka  seems bankrupt and China has planned to take over SriLanka Hambantota port to firm up its naval operations in the Indian Ocean. Besides Hambantota port, China also provides technical and financial assistance to Sri Lanka so that they can allow their territory to be used against India at required time.

• MALDIVES

Again  China's policy of investing on the small country ,China has invested a lot in Maldive so they also seems bankrupt and in the repay they wants the territory to build military base, This country is situated in the Indian Ocean near the Lakshadweep island of India

• MYANMAR

China has the presence in Myanmar’s Kyaukpyu port. The port situated in the Bay of Bengal has given China access to have a commercial Maritime facility which can be used as a military facility at the time of conflict. China has invested a lot in a 2400 km gas pipeline.

•  TO COUNTER STRAIT OF MALACCA :

The Indian Ocean sees nearly 60 percent of the trade which includes the trade of oil from the oil fields of the Middle East. And 80 percent of China’s oil imports pass through the Strait of Malacca. Therefore, Strait of Malacca is indispensable for China until it develops alternative routes.

Therefore China is keen to develop friendly relations with countries like Malaysia and Singapore which surround the Malacca Strait.

INDIA'S RESPONSE

• TO COUNTER GWADAR PORT :

India has made a deal with Iran and now India is developing Chabahar Port in Iran near to the Strait of Hormuz which is very Important for India because 80%  of oil trade of world is from strait of hormuz  and  it will counter the gwadar and karachi port.

• India is  building defence cooperation with Vietnam to counter Myanmar and China's move. 

• India has also invested a lot in countries like Uzbekistan,Kazakhstan and Mongolia  to counter China by surrounding it.

• And India has good ties with Japan and Russia,India is also tying good relations with Australia.

• TO COUNTER CHINA IN MALAYSIA -SINGAPORE:

INS BAAZ in Andman and Nicobar ,joint command is also there,India has setted Harpoon Block-2 Missiles, MK-54 lightweight torpedoes, rockets, which can effectively  counter China’s strategic moves in the Indian Ocean region and Strait of Malacca.

CONCLUSION:

"String of Pearls Project" China is trying to create a fear in the minds of the Asian countries so that it can emerge as the superpower in the whole world. But India is also setting naval bases in its surrounding countries so that India can confine them or counter them.