China's String of Pearls

Image Source : www.china-briefing.com

The String of Pearls refers to the Chinese sea lines of communication which extend to Port Sudan. The sea lines run through the strategic choke points  as well as other strategic naval interest such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Somalia. China has created bases in Indian Ocean to secure its oil and trade routes. Also it can use these to choke Indian sea routes to rest of the world. China is following the policy of containment of India.

China is heavily investing in infrastructure projects in India’s neighbouring countries through its cash diplomacy.  China is building Sittwe port in Myanmar, Chittagong port in Bangladesh Gwadar port in Pakistan, Hambantota deep sea port in Sri Lanka, Marao port in Maldives and a military base in Seychelles with the excuse of countering attacks on Chinese vessels from Somalian pirates. China has offered training to Nepalese military in Nepal, which would allow Chinese army to have permanent base in Nepal. Consequently, all these developments provide an excuse to Chinese army and naval force to have permanent base in Indian Ocean and in India’s neighbouring countries.  

Strategically, having Chinese naval force in Indian Ocean is a cause of worry for India. Now China can easily monitor all our missile activities done from Chandipur, from port Sittwe in Myanmar. On our western coast China has base at Gwadar port in Pakistan. China from here can choke our oil supplies which we import from Arab nations. Since India imports 80% of oil, it heavily comprises India’s oil security.

China is involved is building road and implementing other infrastructural projects in PoK region. Also, China has improved its transport infrastructure near Indo-China border. Now China can place its Army on Indo-China border for war within one week than earlier required time of one month. China has encircled India from all direction. China can use these strategic bases to curb India’s ambition to become bigger regional player and to be an important player in world politics.