Countering China in India's backyard
China's growing footprint in the Indian Ocean is testing India's resolve to protect its maritime turf and regional influence
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 "Sujan Chinoy")
 "A jetty in Kyaukphyu, Myanmar, where China is making its presence felt in the IOR through the Belt and Road Initiative (Photo: Reuters)")
A jetty in Kyaukphyu, Myanmar, where China is making its presence felt in the IOR through the Belt and Road Initiative (Photo: Reuters)
China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean in recent years has prompted fresh concerns about Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects and acquisition of berthing, operation turnaround facilities, and bases for strategic purposes. The unbridled economic rise of China and rapid expansion of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), coupled with unilateral claims over vast swathes of the maritime commons in the South China Sea (SCS), have created a new reference point for judging its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). China’s economic tentacles, infrastructure, and connectivity projects as well as soft power are on full display from
Written By
Sujan Chinoy
The author is the director-general, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.
 "Sujan Chinoy")
First Published: Oct 07 2025 | 11:06 AM IST
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