As the military standoff continues at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) along their land borders, the competition between India and China in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is intensifying.
The docking of the INS Mumbai, an Indian Navy guided-missile destroyer, at Colombo on Monday morning lined up with the arrival of three Chinese warships. This serves as yet another sign of the ongoing naval competition in the region.
Per the report, the Indian Navy closely tracked the movements of three Chinese warships – destroyer Hefei, and amphibious ships Qilianshan and Wuzhishan – from their arrival in the IOR until they reached Colombo on Monday morning.
Sri Lanka has welcomed INS Mumbai and the Chinese warships in accordance with naval traditions. Upon their departure, both ships are scheduled to conduct “passage exercises” with the Sri Lankan navy on August 29.
INS Mumbai in Colombo!
Ceremonially received this morning by @srilanka_navy, INS Mumbai is on its first visit to Sri Lanka. This marks the eighth visit this year by Indian Navy ships to #SriLanka. #StrongerTogether https://t.co/jhK0NYyCLT pic.twitter.com/X5d84yHHsv
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) August 26, 2024
India’s strategic concerns in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) have been amplified after the Mohamed Muizzu government of Maldives signed a new defence cooperation agreement with China. As a result, Indian military personnel operating a Dornier aircraft and two advanced light helicopters were withdrawn from their operations.
According to a report, the anticipated arrival of Chinese warships at Colombo may create concern in New Delhi. The upcoming Sri Lankan Presidential elections on September 21 have brought the India-China rivalry into focus. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the current president, is seen as a more favorable choice for New Delhi rather than Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the National People’s Power, who is thought to have pro-China tendencies.
According to an official from the Indian defence establishment cited in the report, China’s expanding presence in the IOR and plans to establish more logistical facilities pose a significant challenge for the Indian Navy. This development occurs amidst China’s increasing involvement in the region, including longer stays by Chinese navy vessels, including those participating in anti-piracy missions.
The US intelligence community released a report in March suggesting China’s plans to expand its military presence overseas. This may include establishing new bases and securing access agreements in regions near New Delhi. Potential locations being considered by China include Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Seychelles, and the UAE.
Previously, New Delhi has lodged strong objections with Colombo over the docking of Chinese warships, spy vessels, and submarines at Sri Lankan ports.
According to the “Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community” released on March 11, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is actively seeking to expand its overseas military presence in order to project power and safeguard China’s interests abroad. In addition to its current base in Djibouti and facility at Ream Naval Base in Cambodia, the PLA is reportedly exploring potential military installations in various locations such as Myanmar (Burma), Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and the UAE.
The Indian Navy, with a fleet of 140 ships, is currently tasked with maintaining adequate force levels to handle the threat from Pakistan while simultaneously deterring China in the Indian Ocean Region.
China has been consistently improving its “underwater domain awareness” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), utilizing frequent deployment of survey and research vessels. These ships have been labeled as ‘spy’ ships, gathering essential information for navigation and submarine operations. The difficulty faced by India is emphasized further by the Pentagon’s 2023 report on China’s military capabilities, estimating that the PLAN boasts a fleet of over 370 ships – the largest in the world. In comparison, the US Navy currently has a combat-ready fleet of 291 ships.
India has expressed concern over the increasing maritime collaboration between Beijing and Islamabad. China is aiding in the expansion of Pakistan’s navy, having already provided four multi-role frigates and with plans to deliver eight diesel-electric submarines in the near future. In April, the first of these advanced Hangor-class stealth submarines was launched by China, while India’s upcoming submarine program, Project 75 (India), is facing setbacks.
