The Indian Ocean: China’s Growing Presence and India’s Naval Response
Introduction
In recent years, the Indian Ocean has emerged as a critical geopolitical arena, especially with China expanding its maritime influence and military footprint. This has caused deep concern for India, which relies heavily on this ocean for its trade, energy imports, and national security. Once overshadowed by the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Indian Ocean has now become the epicenter of strategic competition among world powers, particularly between India and China.
Why the Indian Ocean Matters
The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is home to:
- 28 countries across 3 continents (Asia, Africa, and Australia)
- Major sea routes connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
- Strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb, and the Strait of Malacca
More than 70% of global maritime trade flows through the Indian Ocean, with India depending on it for:
- 95% of its international trade by volume
- 80% of its crude oil imports
Given its vast strategic importance, it’s no surprise that global powers, especially China and the United States, are vying for influence in this maritime space.
China’s Strategy: The “String of Pearls”
To counterbalance U.S. and Indian presence, China has adopted a strategy often referred to as the “String of Pearls” — a network of military and commercial facilities developed across countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. The objective: ensure Chinese naval access and influence in key locations.
Key elements of this strategy include:
- Gwadar Port (Pakistan): Built with Chinese investment under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), this port serves both commercial and potential military purposes.
- Hambantota Port (Sri Lanka): Leased to China for 99 years due to Sri Lanka’s debt trap.
- Djibouti: China’s first overseas military base.
- Cocos Islands (Myanmar): Alleged Chinese SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) post.
- Chittagong (Bangladesh): Developed with Chinese assistance.
- Sudan’s Red Sea Coast: China has port access for naval logistics.
Although China officially claims these are commercial ventures under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), their military utility is undeniable.
India’s Countermove: The “Necklace of Diamonds”
To respond, India has undertaken its own form of maritime counter-strategy dubbed the “Necklace of Diamonds” (though not officially declared by the government). It involves securing access to key ports and establishing friendly naval bases around the Indian Ocean to monitor and deter Chinese presence.
India’s strategic moves:
- Assumption Island (Seychelles): Naval base development for patrol and surveillance.
- Chabahar Port (Iran): Access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, countering Gwadar.
- Duqm Port (Oman): Indian access for refueling and repairs.
- Sabang Port (Indonesia): Close to the Malacca Strait.
- Changi Naval Base (Singapore): Logistics agreement for Indian Navy access.
India has also strengthened defense partnerships with Japan, Vietnam, Australia, and Mongolia, further widening its influence.
Modernizing India’s Naval Power
In response to China’s aggressive expansion and modernization, India has significantly ramped up its naval capabilities.
Aircraft Carriers
- INS Vikramaditya – India’s existing aircraft carrier, purchased from Russia.
- INS Vikrant – Commissioned in 2022, India’s first indigenously built carrier. A milestone in India’s Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) defense program.
These floating airbases extend India’s naval strike capability far beyond its shores.
Nuclear Submarines (SSBNs)
India’s nuclear triad (land, air, sea) was completed with the induction of SSBNs, enhancing its second-strike nuclear capability.
- INS Arihant (2016) – Equipped with K-15 missiles (750 km), now upgraded to carry K-4 missiles with a range of 3,500 km.
- INS Arighat – Larger and more capable than Arihant, with multi-domain launch capabilities.
- INS Aridhaman – A third SSBN, expected to be inducted soon.
These submarines ensure credible nuclear deterrence even in the worst-case first-strike scenarios.
Conventional Submarines
India currently operates 16 submarines, but only 6 are modern. The remaining are aging (29–34 years old). Plans are underway to build and acquire:
- 6 next-generation submarines
- Indigenous AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) equipped vessels
- French and German collaborations for new designs
Stealth Warships and Patrol Craft
India is investing in advanced stealth warships and guided-missile frigates.
In January 2024, Prime Minister Modi commissioned:
- INS Vagsheer (Submarine)
- INS Surat (Destroyer)
- INS Nilgiri (Stealth Frigate, P-17A)
These were indigenously built at Mazagon Dockyard (Mumbai), showcasing India’s growing shipbuilding capacity.
China, however, outpaces India in speed: it takes China only 10 months to build a warship, whereas India currently takes around 4 years. Similarly, China can build nuclear submarines in just 12 months, a pace India is striving to match.
China–Pakistan Nexus: A Dual Threat
China’s strategic collaboration with Pakistan poses a two-front threat to India — both in the Indian Ocean and along the Himalayan border.
Key concerns:
- China developing air-denial missile systems to counter U.S. carriers
- Offering this tech to Pakistan
- Supplying Pakistan with conventional submarines, increasing undersea threats
The growing naval coordination between China and Pakistan adds complexity to India’s maritime security.
Strategic Alliances: QUAD and Indo-Pacific Partnerships
India is strengthening maritime security through multilateral partnerships.
QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)
- Members: India, USA, Japan, Australia
- Focus: Freedom of Navigation, infrastructure, technology sharing, and maritime monitoring
- Acts as a counterbalance to China’s Indo-Pacific expansion
India is taking an active leadership role in QUAD’s maritime initiatives.
India–Australia Undersea Surveillance Initiative
In 2024, India and Australia jointly launched their first bilateral science & technology project focused on undersea surveillance.
Partners:
- India’s DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
- Australia’s DSTG (Defence Science and Technology Group)
Objective:
- Co-develop cutting-edge technologies to detect submarines and underwater threats
- Strengthen maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean
This initiative addresses underwater warfare threats, especially as China expands its undersea fleet.
Challenges Ahead: China’s Speed, Scale, and Influence
Despite India’s advances, China still holds major advantages:
- Shipbuilding speed: Faster naval production cycles
- Funding: Larger naval budgets
- Global port control: Through BRI and debt diplomacy
- Political leverage: Strong influence in nations like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar
India must overcome:
- Bureaucratic delays
- Lack of private sector involvement in defense
- Technology gaps in AI, cyber warfare, and sonar
India’s long-term solution lies in:
- Investing more in indigenous R&D
- Leveraging public–private partnerships
- Expanding naval infrastructure
Conclusion: Toward Maritime Dominance
The Indian Ocean is no longer just a trade route — it is a maritime battlefield of influence, technology, and strategy. China’s “String of Pearls” and its deep naval incursions have forced India to transform its naval doctrine.
India’s assertive maritime moves — from aircraft carriers to submarines, and from multilateral diplomacy to scientific collaboration — are part of a comprehensive response. While the road ahead is challenging, India is positioning itself to safeguard its interests, ensure regional stability, and potentially emerge as a dominant maritime power in the Indo-Pacific.
The Indian Ocean: China’s Growing Presence and India’s Naval Response | AadhiKesav Tv (En
