India and China in the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

The importance of the confluence of the two oceans viz Indian and Pacific Oceans now increasingly referred to as the Indo-Pacific will be central to the geo-strategic/political and economic developments. The transgression along the LAC by China in the Himalayas just as most countries including India were still grappling with the COVID-19 has impacted the bilateral relations forever. China by its insensitive action has lost whatever good will that India was trying to build under the present Government. It is clear that China has its own agenda and would not hesitate to launch its political/diplomatic/economic and military offensive against any country considered as an obstacle to its own path. The two Asian powers have now been pushed into jostling for space and influence in the Indo-Pacific. The developments in the South China Sea and the increased aggressive behaviour of China have changed the dynamics of strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific. The other major player USA has made it very clear that the concept of global commons has to be upheld in the Indo-Pacific and has launched the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP). US naval fleets have been transiting the contested areas indicating that the freedom of navigation is an enshrined right of nations. India which was on a positive all-round trajectory in the last decade suddenly has found itself in a difficult spot post-COVID-19 which originated in Wuhan. The China was upset that India was moving closer to USA and also was perceived as an obstacle to its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as India has made it clear that it will not endorse the unilateral initiative of China. India is also peeved that China has invested heavily in areas that belong to India in Pakistan Occupied Indian territory. The coming years will be difficult in both bilateral and international relations with two competing Asian neighbours whose relations are at an all-time low. India with its limitations of economic prowess has to look at other nations for maintaining its growth and also has mechanisms to take on China. The geographic advantages that India is endowed with do provide certain options for India including the maritime domain. The paper will examine the contours of the challenges that will be faced by India and the options that are available to counter China.