China’s “String of Pearls” strategy around India in tatters
By P. Chacko Joseph | May 11th, 2009 | Category: Opinion and Editorials | 10 comments
The Chinese “String of Pearls” strategy around India appears to be have broken. By definition, the “String of Pearls†describes the manifestation of China’s rising geopolitical influence through efforts to increase access to ports and airfields, develop special diplomatic relationships, and modernize military forces that extend from the South China Sea through the Strait of Malacca, across the Indian Ocean, and on to the Arabian Gulf (USAF Lieutenant Colonel Christopher J. Pehrson, “string of Pearls: meeting the challenge of china’s rising Power across the asian littoral” July 2006, Strategic Studies Institute, United States Army War College).
Around India, the Chinese pearls include Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Pakistan.
Currently there might be no comprehensive policy by the current Indian government to contain it, but, a mix of luck, some policy, some internal and external events seem to have worked in favour of India.
Myanmar ( Burma): Sittwe Port, Coco Island, Burma Hianggyi, Khaukphyu, Mergui and Zadetkyi are the main names associated with Chinese interest in Myanmar. India shares a border of more than 1,600 kms with Myanmar. Myanmar also serves as a gateway to South East Asia and ASEAN and is supposed to be the Eastern Flank to the Bay of Bengal.
“Look East” policy by former Indian Prime minister, Father of Modern India, Hon. PV Narasimha Rao, had brought Myanmar in Indian sights. Subsequently, India had toned down its criticism of the junta, supplied Myanmar with military spares, joint action on rebels in each others borders and offered economic co-operation. Vice Senior General Maung Aye visited India from 2 to 6 April 2008. During his visit, The Kaladan Muti Model Transit Transport Project agreement was signed which saw India gaining access to Sittwe. India also signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with Myanmar. India and Myanmar are engaged in various sectors like cross-border developmental projects, trade, IT, Telecommunication, hydrocarbon etc.
Myanmar does not lean towards China or India. It makes best of the competition between China and India which are competing for Myanmar’s resources.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh currently has an India friendly government and army. Before this Bangladesh had an anti-Indian government and Army. China had taken full advantage of it.
Nepal: China and India are currently locked under a tussle over Nepal. China can do little but has increased considerable influence with the Nepali Maoist. India is not expected to loose its clout in Nepal.
Sri Lanka: This is another area where China is trying to influence. Hambantota port is being developed by China and China is a supplier of military wares to Sri Lanka. Indian influence in Sri lanka is not expected to be lost.
Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles: china is trying, but, it is not successful in getting ports or bases in these countries due to Indian objections.
Pakistan: Pakistan is currently involved in counter insurgency in its own country and has a very heavy US influence. Pakistan proxy is not currently available to China due to US influence. Gwadar port, which was built with Chinese assistance is under the management of Singapore based company. Chinese have not been able to complete central Asia – Gwadar link due to US influence and Indian friendly government in Afghanistan.
There are two more countries that are within the Chinese String of Pearls strategy, i.e, Thailand and Cambodia. Thailand has a proximity with Indian Andaman and Nicobar Island. India needs to work on relations with Thailand. Cambodia is currently of less direct significance to India.
For china, the fight for dominance over these regions is not yet over as it needs to secure its energy and trade route with Middle East and Africa. India needs a strategy to keep these gains and discourage Chinese dominance within Indian Ocean.
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China considers that other nations are fool.but india have good army,air,naval forces.and having friends like US.we know ur strategy ,we hav capacity 2 brake the strategy. WE ONLY WANT PEACE.
My take on China’s string of pearl strategy – India should declare that it will attack all Chinese naval/military outposts in our neighbouring countries if they have a war with China in future. They may also nuke them if China uses that option
I have read the mentality of Chinese People & government. They only want to break up India into small parts and day is not far away when it is going to happen. Corrupt Indian leaders are sucking the blood of India and making the Indian armed forces more weaker with bad quality weapons. China have too much money to buy the pearls around India. Even Pakistan have better equipment to fight the Indian forces. Look ! How many Indian soldiers have died & injured during the Kargil conflict? Had it had been USA, not even one soldiers could have been killed by Pak supported elements and job could be finished with cruise missiles. I request to Bollywood Film Makers to make Films which can make Indian Public aware of the weakness Indian leaders. Also inform the general public to root out Corrupt Leaders and save India and equip the Indian Armed Forces with modern weapons. For India very little time have been left to save itself from cunning plans of China. Moreover USA will never ever will come to rescue India as it was tested by PM Nehru during 1962. When Nehru begged USA for Airforce help and was told that you should fight your own war.
JJ Singh
china wants 2 b a powerfull country but others r not fool .they r going against it 2 show them powerfull after being .
china is a joke
No policy or strategy can work against India if it can manage to workout its relations with its neighbors. India is a mother country whose cultural effects go up to Turkey and beyond to the west and up to South China sea. String of pearl is a strategy the perception of which is being cultivated like the Russia Marches to the East or Hot Water. India should manage its rise for its billion plus population than mindlessly wasting its resources for providing jobs to the west to create the means to counter china. Make no mistake china and India has to remain the neighbors and why not good neighbors. India should be a symbol of love and tolerance and not to put the stakes of worlds half population in India and China and around at risk by creating threat and evil design for half of humanity through misplaced assumptions
Roy
Good going. Not a detailed analysis but gives a bird view whether the “strings of pearls” exist or not. Your follower in BR. Not a member though.
It is not what China will do that should matter. It is what China has already done. It has clearly stated to all those watching and listening that it will not tolerate any conflict of interest, at least in it’s own backyard. Did any one of you even introspect the Chinese influence on natural resources of this planet? They have made a tunnel in every mine of this planet. 70 – 80% of all iron ore produced in BRAZIL comes to China. Now you know what fuels those massive infrastructure projects… It’s all about the intent and the actions pursuant to it. Chinese want to go to war on all fronts. Economic, material and even nuclear. They are creating a perfect 21st century ROME. Beware Indians, the time is not far when you may be called upon to serve your motherland. Be Prepared!!
actually india should modernise its navy at a greater pace,plus it should make more lethal its missiles , fool proof bmd system and ashm. actually due to himalaya china can not mobilise its army in indian region but dut to its killer ssbn and missiles it can harm us a lot. now india should use its influence to persuade its neighours to not to help anybody to interfere in ioc.bangladesh can cause us a lot trouble as india is loosing ground in this country.in which RAW can help.induce a lot of raw agents in to this region and make environment in favour of india as well as such operation in in nerpa is required.this was in a defensive term as an offensine term build a strong stratigic ties with ASEAN and asia pacific to surround it as a POLES OF DIAMONDS.now destablise its dominion in that region.thus we will be able to counter china and its influence.