India’s Iron Curtain countering China’s String of Pearls

Prashanth S

I semester, MBA, Department of Management Studies

Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore

Abstract:

String of Pearls is a geopolitical theory first used by the United States Defence department to
describe the Chinese intentions to build military bases and increase its influence in the Indian
Ocean. China so far has built a military base in Djibouti; commercial ports in Myanmar,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Pakistan. With Gwadar port in Pakistan, Chinese
shipments have bypassed the need to travel through the Indian Ocean and Strait of Malacca
where Indian Navy has its presence. With over 90% of Indian trade flowing through Indian
Ocean, if we lose influence in this region to China; it will seriously hamper Indian security.
With these developments, Indian counter strategy which the Chinese counterpart has termed
as Iron Curtain is the increased Indian Naval presence in the Strait of Malacca; Improve
relation with ASEAN countries, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives; building commercial port
in Iran and Naval military base access in Djibouti with France partnership. Through these
initiatives India is limiting Chinese influence and maintain its influence in the Indian Ocean
Region.

Keywords: India, China, String of Pearls, Iron Curtain, Military Bases, Influence, Indian
Ocean Region (IOR).

Introduction:

It was the year 1947 that India gained its independence. Just 2 years after that, in 1949 Peoples
Republic of China was declared as the new government under Communist rule. Both the
countries had moved onto a new era in the books of history, but with different ideologies.
Although both the countries adopted different government type, the same 5-year planning
model was followed for the development and policy framework for the ruling of the country
inspired by the Soviet Union. Here, Soviet Union also played a major role in the development
of military and strategic partnership that other western countries couldn’t provide with both
China and India.

With India mostly concentrated on handling internal affairs after the partition; it had already
made an enemy Pakistan, its newly created neighbour concerning land ownership and border
disputes. These disputes eventually lead to multiple wars between India and Pakistan. This is
where China started its influence, defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan by first
supplying arms and ammunition. This led to India to go as far as threatening China to block its
shipment of goods and oil sea route which passes through the Indian Ocean. This event may
have led to Chinese counterpart in conforming itself that, all its trade routes need to be under
its influence itself. With these events from 1960’s, the Chinese through the 21st century has
slowly been trying hard and even succeeded in some instances to become the new hegemony
in the Asian region. The Chinese through activities such as Infrastructure building and closer
political ties in the Indian Oceanic Region and ASEAN countries has created a lot of influence.
The Belt and Road Project and the huge investments made in Pakistan by China had made India
aware of the crisis looming ahead if it doesn’t do anything to counteract the increasing
influence. India is now engaged in a series of activities involving more closer military ties and
favourable policies with its neighbours to limit the Chinese influence.

India-China War:

During the 1950s the Chinese growing aggression towards Tibet and the subsequent war and
occupancy of Tibet in 1959, the Indian counterpart opened its border to Dalai Lama, spiritual
leader of Tibet for asylum. This and India’s border Forward policy led to the 1962 Sini-Indian
war. With Chinese claims of Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu as its territory. It is clear
that China wants to exert it most to claim lands by military actions. Although peace agreements
of 1993 and 1996 has done much to resolve land disputes between the two countries; the recent
Dokhlam standoff makes it clear that there is much tension still involved. With the norther
lands in dispute; the southern Indian Ocean Region is increasingly the new domain for future
military and navy standoffs.
The Chinese Initiative:

With an exponential increase in the Chinas GDP and economy after it opened its market to the
world, it has led to an amazing and consistent 10% growth rate for over 10 years. This has
made China an exporting powerhouse with 3 trillion-dollar foreign currency reserves. It has
also given China the opportunity to pursue its goal at a large scale and thus making it the second
largest economy in the world. With increased infrastructure and economy, military research
and development has to China becoming more ambitious.

Although the Indian Ocean is the Indian navy domain, with the Chinese ship route through this
region has made China proactive in trying to secure its shipment. This has led to string of
investments and diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan etc. to
build ports and thus increase Chinese presence.

1.Strait of Malacca:

With most of Chinas trade of oil and goods passing through the Strait of Malacca, on which
the Indian navy has a strategic hold; China is keen to develop friendly relations with countries
like Malaysia and Singapore which surround the Malacca Strait. China has invested heavily in
these countries and said to have built a naval port near Malacca Strait on Cocos Keeling Island.

2.Bangladesh:

The Chittagong port has been developed by the Chinese in the country. With more investment
in infrastructure, China has heavy influence in this country and is said to have been pushing
for a naval base access in the port.

3.Sri Lanka:

With the full ownership of the Hambantota port in this country, it has found a strong foothold
in the Indian Ocean.

4.Pakistan:

Pakistan is being described as an All-Weather Ally of China. Pakistan has been Chinas focus
of investment through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Billions of dollars have been
loaned to Pakistan for building Infrastructure. Gwadar port, the main investment receiver has
become Chinese commercial and naval base allowing shipments to not travel through the
Indian Ocean Region and thus give China an alternative road to its shipment.
5.Maldives:

Though India and Maldives shared a healthy relationship, it has also been an investment point
of the Chinese. An Island has been leased out 50 years and China has been developing an
airfield and naval bases in it.

China seems to have created a commercial infrastructure in all these countries, which can be
used for a military purpose as well. With multiple issues involved in countries in this string,
China wants to keep India uncertain and unease to keep it busy and engaged. China will keep
on weaving a net on the Indian Oceanic Region.
Indian Counter Solutions:

 While China is involved in Checkbook-Diplomacy, India has been improving its

strategic alliance and defence pacts with its neighbours. Along with-it India has been
granting loans at cheaper rates to the needed countries.
 With Gwadar port India lost the control initiative to shipment trade lines of China, but
to not be countered militarily; Chabahar port deal with Iran is a welcome initiative.
 India has also been increasing its diplomatic presence in countries like Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Mongolia- all surrounding China.
 India has access to Djibouti port through a France partnership deal.

These measures seemed to have already the Chinese counterpart and is calling it the Iron
Curtain act to keep Chinese influence in check.

With the Chinese relying on economic might, India must explore alternative ways to deepen
the relationship with its neighbouring countries. Indian medical tourism can be a great strength
with its reliable and affordable prices. Quality National education institute admissions and
scholarship needs to be opened to the world. Usage of Culture, Cinema etc. can also be used to
educate other about India and increase its soft power influence.

Conclusion:

With this, it can be concluded that China has gone a whole lot ahead of India when it comes to
diplomacy and relation building. Using its economic might and its dual-use creation of infra
for military aspects, the String of Pearls has been completed.

The whole analysis highlights the need on India’s resolute political decision-making ability.
The recommended solutions are to highlight the need for identifying the geopolitical move by
China and countering it slowly. This action might take more than a few decades and thus
political will and initiatives is needed.

Thus, India needs to take active steps and move ahead with giant strides to protect our
economic, diplomatic, geopolitical and military interests.
References:

1. Here Is All You Should Know About 'String Of Pearls', China's Policy To Encircle
India, https://amp.indiatimes.com/news/india/here-is-all-you-should-know-about-
string-of-pearls-china-s-policy-to-encircle-india-324315.html
2. China’s “String of Pearls”: The encirclement of India & how to break the chakravyuh?,
https://www.strategicfront.org/chinas-string-pearls-encirclement-india-break-
chakravyuh/
3. httpshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Pakistan_Economic_Corridor://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/String_of_Pearls_(Indian_Ocean) -Wikipedia
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China%E2%80%93Pakistan_Economic_Corridor -
Wikipedia