By Musavir Hameed Barech
“Whoever attains maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean would be a prominent player on the international scene. Whoever controls the Indian Ocean dominates Asia” Alfred Thayer Mahan
The Indian Ocean is becoming a battleground where major and regional powers are flexing their muscles in an attempt to amplify their influence. Both Asian giants, China and India, are in perpetual competion to acquire ports and consolidate their influence in the Indian Ocean states for this reason.
When it comes to China’s policy, it appears that the country has left no stone unturned in its efforts to expand its economic influence in Asian and African countries. The following are some of the major factors that prompted China to inflate its influence in the IO: First, China is looking for new methods to enter the worldwide market and sell its goods; nevertheless, it is up against several obstacles from its competitors, mainly India and the United States. The historical pathway taken by China is through the Strait of Malacca, which passes through Singapore and Indonesia; however, by taking this route, China confronting threats emerging from the United States, which has placed forces there to protect American allies countries such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Furthermore, America formed a defense deal with the Philippines and Japan to protect them from any foreign aggression. China risks greater confrontation from India in the Indian Ocean when it passes through the Strait of Malacca.
Second, China wants to safeguard its sea line of communication and in the region. China also constructs military bases to protect them from any potential threat. To achieve this goal, China promised a slew of infrastructure projects aimed towards the growth of the individual country, as well as a loan to help them buy ports in the Indian Ocean. The Belt and Road Initiative, in general, and the Maritime Silk Route, in particular, have prepared the way for China’s advancement in the area. In the Indian Ocean, China now has the upper hand over India. The Indian Ocean is no longer entirely under India’s control. China maintains facilities in several parts of the Indian Ocean and now poses a danger to both India and the United States. Except for India and Bhutan, China has a presence in practically every nation in this area. Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, and other countries all have Chinese bases. This lends validity to the idea that China has altered the geopolitics of the area. Intriguiengly, under the China-Iran 25-year collaboration deal, China was successful in acquiring Iran’s Bandar-e-Jusk base in the Strait of Hormoz.
In response to the aforementioned strategies, India is not leaving the field open for Chinese competitors. India signed various agreements with various countries in the region. For example, India signed an agreement with the Iranian government to finance the Chahbahar port in Iran, which, according to scholars, was financed by China in the competition for the development of the Gwadar port. In addition, in response to China’s acquisition of the Hambantota port, India inked a deal with the Sri Lankan government to buy the Jaffna port. India has also struck agreements with several nations to acquire ports or get access to ports, as part of her “look east” policy. According to this policy, India must create strong connections with eastern nations and access their naval bases and ports. Moreover, India signed agreements with Mozambique, Mauritius, and Madagascar, etc to counter China in the region.
Where Pakisatan stands?
Pakistan being a Indian ocean state falls behind both China and India to exercebate it influnce in the region. Pakistan’ belated paradigm policy shift from geopolitics to geoeconomics was welcomed by intellegisia. Ostensibly, in contemporary era, the centre of gravity of countries policy relay more on economic and human security.They put their political differences aside and prioritize economic progress over political tussle. Countries are increasingly improving their economic skills and creating an atmosphere that is receptive to foreign direct investment. They are now focusing on economic growth rather than militancy. The reasonable course of action for Pakistani policymakers is to modify their policies on symmetrical and asymmetrical warfare and compete economically with rivals, as China and India are doing. Both China and India gain from this path; they are conducting an economic war, and they are striving to raise their countries’ human development indexes.
– The Writer is Student of M.Phil Political Science at GCU Lahore
