Geopolitical stratagies: India's "Necklace of diamond" strategy. How its a headweight for China's trade and military alliance.How it helps in showing its dominance in the indian ocean region

Introduction:

China and India are two nuclear armed countries of South Asia 

Unfortunately they are not friends 

Yes they were diplomatically friendly but until the Sino-Indian War of 1962.

In which india faced a head breaking defeat because of unpreparedness.

Even in the 21st century, their tensions have not decreased; instead, they have been increased.

china and india despite having significant economic relationships remain military adversaries particularly following 2020 GALWAN clash between both side militaries resulting in casualities on both sides 

Significance of indian ocean

"Whoever controls indian ocean will dominate Asia and the destiny of the world is decided by its waters."

     - Alfred Thayer Mahan 

Ultimately oil resource is undoubtedly the ruler of the whole world. The trade of oil takes through three choke points through the indian ocean.

1) strait of Malacca

2) Strait of hormuz

3) Strait of Bab - El - mandeb

Of these choke points the malaccan strait gains its maximal significance.

What is Necklace of diamond ?

Firstly It's an informal strategy, that protects regional interest.

No legal document proposes this strategy is to counter the Chinese influence.

It was proposed by Indian foreign secretary 

Lalith Mansingh.

It is simply the landmass in neighboring countries around China that looks like an encirclement.

You would know the reason why it's said a India's action to counter Chinese influence by the image below.

The area include certain foreign Land and also our own territory.

1) Andhaman and nicobar Island

It helds strategically important naval air bases which include

1). INS Kohasa

2). INS Utkrosh

3). INS Baaz

Recent development plans have been made in this island had gained strategic importance.

Which include lengthening the runways, setting up of ammunition depots, aircraft holding capacity upgrades in these air bases and other technological developments.

Malacca strait is a canal through which 60 to 70 percent of world's oil trade is made through.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are in a location where every ship that comes out of the Malacca Strait can be clearly viewed and detected.

This ensures that the only dominator of the Indian ocean is the Indian navy and no other

2) Indonesia

India and Indonesia are strategic partners since long. The two nations participated in the joint military exercises in 2018 which had made a strong bond in military alliance between them.

The recent access of Sabang port in the Sumatra islands of the Indonesia for both trade and military reasons has allowed the Indian navy flex its muscles in this region.

This region is situated at the entry of the Malaccan strait and more close the Malacca than the Andhaman and Nicobar island continuously monitoring the strait of Malacca

3) Singapore

Singapore also need India because of its dispute with China in the south China sea

Singapore and India are aligned in their cultural , strategic and commercial relations

Both of these nations have invested mutually in each other's countries through "comprehensive economic cooperation aggrement"

Recently the Indian navy gained access for Changi naval base which will provide logistical support and refueling for Indian naval ships

Both of these countries have conducted joint naval exercises called SIMBEX

4) Vietnam

Vietnam and India have maintained good diplomatic relations for over  50 years. India stood by Vietnam in the Vietnamese war and supporting the unity of north and southern parts of Vietnam. Both countries participated in the joint naval exercises MILAN enhancing maritime cooperation in the south china sea.

Unfortunately Vietnam shares south china sea with the chinese . which became the significant concern for vietnam

In 2015 the Indian navy gained access for the Nha trang port providing crucial logistic support including refueling of war ships.

This is considered a significant move for India in suppressing Chinese influence in the south china sea

Vietnam is also intrested in procuring Brahmos supersonic antiship cruise missle and dhruv helicoptors

aakash air defence system. 

5) Philipines

This nation also shares the South china sea with China in which China claim some of Philipines territories as its territories.

Like India, the Philipines is also engaged in territorial disputes with china. 

In defence relations India and the Philipines conducted a joint military exercise in 2016 and 2021

Philipines have signed a government to government deal becoming the first country to buy Brahmos antiship supersonic cruise missle in which the first batch have been delivered to the Philipines defence forces.

6)  Japan

As a part of  QUAD military alliance which comprises India, the USA, Japan, Australia. Japan has  becomes one of the india's major strategic partner in terms of both military and trade economy. 

Japan's JICA had made an significant investment of 4 billion yens which has helped with infrastructural projecrs in india like the Atal sethu , metro enhancement and the Mumbai - Ahmedabad high speed rail sewage and water supply project.

Both these countries have signed the Asia Africa growth corridor which focuses on the socio economic development in the Asian and the African regions. The fields of development include health agriculture and technological developments.

India and Japan have participated in bilateral naval exercise JIMEX and the QUAD alliance naval exercise MALABAR. 

Japan is also having dispute with China  developing strong diplomatic relations with Japan gives India an edge in the south china sea

7) Mongolia

India and Mongolia have enjoyed good relations since 1955, with Mongolia supporting India's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

In 2016, Mongolia invited the Dalai Lama to visit, which led to China imposing sanctions on Mongolia.

In 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Mongolia.

Mongolia is an oil-rich country, often referred to as the "Saudi Arabia of Asia," but it struggles to utilize its oil resources efficiently due to a lack of refineries and dependence on China and Russia.

India provided a loan of $700 million for establishing an oil refinery in Dornogovi Province and $264 million for setting up an oil pipeline for the distribution of oil. This refinery is capable of producing 30,000 barrels of refined oil per day.

               Oil refinary to Mongolia by india

India established a bilateral air corridor with Mongolia to facilitate easier import and export between the two countries.

Both nations participated in the multinational military exercise Khan Quest, which involved over 20 countries. The Indian Army was represented by a contingent from the GARHWAL RIFLES.

In 2023, they also participated in a bilateral military exercise called Nomadic Elephant.

8) IRAN

The relations between India and Iran arehistorical, dating back millennia. The Achaemenid empire established contact with the Indian subcontinent. The two countries share similarities in culture, religion, and artistic traditions.

Despite having untieable relationship India's close ties with the US and Israel have introduced some contentions in its relationship with Iran.

Even with these disagreements, Iran remains a key partner for India, supplying a significant portion of the country's energy needs through oil and gas exports.

In terms of infrastructure development,the two nations have collaborated on the Chabahar port project. This port provides India with strategic access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Unfortunately, Western sanctions onIran, particularly those imposed by the US, have impacted bilateral trade and investments.

Despite the sanctions, India recently leased the Chabahar port, which can be used for both commercial trade and military purposes to a limited extent.

Joint military cooperation, including naval exercises, has been conducted by both countries in the Persian Gulf region. Indian warships have also made goodwill visits to Iranian ports like Bandar Abbas and Chabahar. 

9)  OMAN 

Diplomatic relations between India and Oman were established in 1955 and were elevated to a strategic partnership in 2008.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) enhances economic ties between India and Oman.

Both countries exchange goods such as mineral fuels, textiles, machinery, agricultural products, urea, LNG, polypropylene, and dates. Trade between the two countries reached $12.4 billion in the 2022-2023 financial year.

The Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) maintains defense cooperation between these two countries.

Both nations participate in all triservice military exercises such as 'Al Najah' (Army), 'Eastern Bridge' (Air Force), and 'Naseem Al Bahr' (Navy).

India has taken a lease on the Duqm port, whichis located in a strategically important location, monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit point for global oil shipments.

Frequent high-level visits, notably Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's state visit to India, underscore the importance both countries place on their relationship.

10) MAURITIUS

Mauritius has a significant population of Indian origin who migrated to Mauritius as laborers.

India is one of Mauritius's largest trade partners, exporting agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, and more.

India is investing in Mauritius's infrastructure and development projects, with the Metro Express project being a notable example.

Since Mauritius is located near Africa, where China has a dominant influence, developing a strategic relationship with this island nation is essential for India.

India is constructing a 3,000-meter-long airstrip on the Agalega Islands, which can handle various aircraft, including transport aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and fighter jets.

India has provided maritime security assistance and conducted joint naval exercises with Mauritius."

11) SECHYELLES

Like Mauritius, a significant Indian population resides in the Seychelles Islands. India exports various goods to Seychelles, including pharmaceuticals, rice, and textiles. Seychelles,in turn, exports fish and fish products to India.

India and Seychelles have strong military cooperation. India has donated coast guard vessels and a Dornier aircraft to Seychelles for maritime security, which can combat illegal activities such as drug trafficking and piracy.

However, there are internal protests in Seychelles against the establishment of an Indian military presence, with concerns that it may threaten the country's sovereignty.

Conclusion

Although this diamond necklace is said to enhance India's international trade relations, experts believe it is a strategy to suppress Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean.