China’s strategic ambition to extend its influence across the Indian Ocean has been encapsulated in what is commonly referred to as the “String of Pearls.” This concept symbolizes a network of Chinese military and commercial bases stretching from mainland China to the Middle East, designed to secure Beijing’s energy supplies and trade routes while expanding its strategic footprint. However, the implications of this strategy for India are profound and far-reaching.
Through major investments in infrastructure projects, ports, and military facilities, China has steadily built relationships with nations surrounding India. Gwadar in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyaukpyu in Myanmar, and Chittagong in Bangladesh are all key ‘pearls’ in China’s string. These ports, while ostensibly commercial in nature, have sparked fears in New Delhi that they could be repurposed for military use, giving China a significant foothold in India’s maritime backyard.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), under which many of these projects fall, has given Beijing both economic and strategic leverage over smaller, debt-burdened nations. In Sri Lanka, for example, the Hambantota Port was handed over to China on a 99-year lease after the Sri Lankan government struggled to repay the Chinese loans used to finance the project. This pattern of “debt-trap diplomacy” has set off alarm bells in New Delhi, where policymakers are wary of Beijing’s intentions and its long-term goals in the region.
For India, the “String of Pearls” represents not just an economic challenge but a direct strategic threat. With China encircling India with these bases and infrastructure projects, the fear is that Beijing could use this network to exert military pressure on New Delhi in times of conflict. The Indian Navy’s dominance in the Indian Ocean, a key aspect of India’s national security, could be compromised by China’s growing presence.
Moreover, China’s increasing influence in South Asia is seen as part of a broader strategy to undermine India’s traditional leadership role in the region. By forging closer ties with India’s neighbors, China is steadily eroding New Delhi’s sphere of influence and reducing its strategic depth.