Sure, let's talk about China. As you mentioned, last week we reported on some statements made by PLA officials that India does not pose a threat to them. Now, it seems that India's military leadership is giving a response to those statements.
The Indian Navy has conducted drills in the Arabian Sea, involving India's biggest warships, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, plus 35 aircraft and other warships. Together, they are called carrier battle groups.
A carrier battle group is a naval fleet that consists of an aircraft carrier, which is at the front, and a large number of ships around it. The carrier is capable of launching ships and choppers, and it's like a complete package, a floating air base of sorts.
So, what is the purpose of this exercise? Power projection. The Indian Navy is showcasing its ability to operate not just in the immediate waters surrounding India, but beyond as well. Here is what a spokesperson for the Navy said about the drills:
"The demonstration of naval prowess underscores India's commitment to safeguarding its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain."
The Indian Navy is upgrading its capabilities. It is gearing up to meet the China Challenge. You see, recent events at the border have led to a revelation: the PLA is a threat not just on land, but also at sea.
At the same time, India is at a vantage point on the high seas. There are key sea routes in the region that are essential to the Chinese economy. I'm talking about the likes of the Malacca Strait.
This is a narrow waterway and a major vulnerability for China. In 2016, almost 80% of China's oil imports came through here. Also, about 20% of the global maritime trade and 60% of China's trade influence go through this region. So, this route is vital for China and its economy, and India is in a position to block it.
Recent reports say that India is also planning a new naval base. It will be built on the Great Nicobar Island, and it will overlook the entrance to the Malacca Strait. This base will give clear tactical advantages to India.
So, provocation in the Himalayas may be answered from the Great Nicobar Island. India could consider blocking Chinese tankers, and from the same base, India would be in a position to watch Chinese movements in the Indian Ocean and also monitor China in the South China Sea. Remember, this is another major international flash point.
And such a base is increasingly critical for India because Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean are growing. Consider what India's Navy Chief said in the month of April:
"We're keeping a very close watch in the Indian Ocean region. An effort is to know whose presence is there and what they're up to, monitoring it 24/7, and we deploy aircraft, UAVs, ships, submarines, etc."
China, you know, has the world's biggest navy, and it's expanding. It is building more warships. The PLA has plans to deploy more assets to the Indian Ocean region. Today, China has two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, and they're working on a third one, called Fujian. Then, there are Chinese bases in the region like Djibouti and Gwadar in the west, and Hambantota in the south.
So, the trajectory is quite clear: China is building capacity to control this region in every theater of conflict. So, India's best bet is to prepare, and these drills by the Indian Navy show that New Delhi is firming up its defenses.
It will be interesting to see how this situation develops in the future. China is a rising power, and India is a regional power. Both countries have interests in the Indian Ocean region, and it is likely that their rivalry will continue to grow.
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