CHINA POTENTIAL MILITARY BASES IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION: STRATEGIC CHALLENGES FOR INDIA

Abstract

China’s expanding military presence in the Indian Ocean region (IOR) poses significant strategic challenges for India. This study examines that the China’s potential military bases initiatives in IOR including Gwadar, Hambantota, Bay of Bengal and other will likely enhance China’s naval presence and power projection capabilities that might threaten the Indian geopolitical position and economic interests in the region. The findings highlight the potential implications of China’s military bases on India’s national security, Maritime and regional influence, and economic interests. This research contributes to the understanding of the complex dynamics of China-India relations IOR and provides insights for policy makers to develop effective strategies to address these challenges. Moreover, this paper also addresses the question of how China’s potential military bases in the Indian Ocean Region will pose strategic challenges to the India.