Geopolitics And Indo-Pacific
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| GEOPOLITICS AND INDO-PACIFIC |
To understand geopolitics in layman's language it can be defined as international relations between global figures which has a global impact . Geopolitics is thereby influenced by several factors like climate , terrain , location , demography , home land government and many more.
Geopolitics come to play an important role when a nation wants to make it's hegemony on global stand.
As we know, our body is composed of fire, earth, water, space , & air . Same as a superpower is a state with combined means of economic , military , cultural influence , diplomatic strength and cutting edge technology.
Before proceeding further , remember the important rule of geopolitics. "In geopolitics , there is no permanent ally , neither permanent enemy , there are only permanent interest."
Even once the British had colonies all over the world but today it is limited till some group of island in Atlantic ocean.
So, it's clear that British hegemony wasn't permanent but what was permanent is their interest for themselves and their country.
Over past centuries many famous geopolitical analyst have proposed various theories to depict how to control the world. Among these the 3 major theories are :-
1. "Sea Power Theory" raised by Alfred Thayer Mahan from U.S . He believes that those who controlled the sea would control the world.
2. "Heartland Theory" was prosed by Halford John Mackinder of Britain who believed that , the one who control Eurasia would control the world.
3. "Rimland Theory" was proposed by Nicholas John Spykman from U.S who believed that the one who would control the rimland would control the world.
So, the arising question may be what is Belt and Road initiative ?
In layman's language it is a massive infrastructural project sponsored
by china which makes it's way through silk road economic belt and maritime silk
road initiative . These includes buildings of roads , ports , railway etc. The
scalability of this humongous project can be imagined by the fact that till
date 138 nations have already signed MoU( memorandum of understanding ) to
support BRI. The mega project will connect road network of Xian in China till
Rottendam in Netherlands and sea network of Fuzhou in china to Venice in Italy
by passing through strait of Malacca and gulf of Aden. This monstrous project
connects 3 continents (Asia, Africa, Europe) also the middle east with mainland
china , providing china a very very strategic edge in geopolitics.
This provide China a upper hand over India in the Indian ocean which compromises the national security of India. The ports included in BRI project are of dual use , means the ports can also be used for military perspective other than mean of connectivity. The BRI also makes sure to provide china with a uninterrupted trade during a global crisis , thereby safeguarding it's economic interests by ensuring continuous flow of foreign exchange in the country.
Also, the diversion of china to trade without strait of malacca is a
serious drawback , which could be fixed under BRI as Chinese shipments would
change the path in case of any blockade by Indian Navy at strait of malacca.
Thus, resulting in no hamper to Chinese economy.
Now, let’s have some look on how BRI compromises India’s national security. The CPEC (china Pakistan economic corridor) passes from PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) and ends at Gwadar port. The Chinese construction in land of Pok would certainly be a nightmare for India due to security reason in Kashmir also the recapturing of PoK would be a tough process. Other than that the BRI also affects the north-east India’s security of India. Thus, govt of India had put a hold on construction of BRI projects in India.
Coming up to South China Sea, it’s the place where china is illegally trying to establish it’s hegemony by the 9 dash line strategy.
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| 9 DASH LINE STRATEGY OF CHINA |
south china is very important to china as a number of ports are located in South China Sea. Other than that a major percentage of cargo makes their way from South China Sea. Also, South China Sea is strategically important as to advance in Taiwan and thereby, it would be easy for the mighty Chinese navy to expand in Pacific. The fact can’t be avoided that South China Sea is stockpile to resources like abundant fisheries, mineral deposit, oil and natural gas. So, one in all South China Sea is of a great advantage to china both strategically and economically.
China’s BRI and south china sea’s conflict has a greater impact not only on India but also on the U.S.
U.S is constantly facing a threat on its year of hegemony on world politics. Though U.S is surrounded with Atlantic Ocean on its east, but most of its trade is carried out through Pacific in the west. And the increase of Chinese presence in Pacific is a threat for U.S. The region stretching from the pacific coastline of U.S, till the Indian Ocean is home to half of the world’s population, 2/3rd of the world’s economy and 7 biggest military might. It supports more than 3 million American jobs and is a source of $900billion for U.S.
Also, Taiwan is under a great threat under Chinese military. Taiwan’s air space had been repeatedly violated by PLA Air force. And losing Taiwan to China will be a great geopolitical disaster of the century, as Taiwan supplies a major chunk of semiconductor in the world, there will be a overwhelming shortage of semiconductor in the market and thereby the electronic goods will be unaffordable for the middle class men. At present, some countries have felt to be prey in the “Chinese debt trap”. “Debt trap” is nothing but a crooked strategy of expansionist, where a large sum of money is lend to an economic backward class country at a very high interest i.e. 7-10% and thereby when the country fails to repay the debt in time, china acquire any asset (i.e. ports) of the country for lease as penalty of not paying the debt. The same is experienced by Sri Lanka , where Hambantota port was compromised and Gwadar in case of Pakistan.
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| HAMBANTOTA PORT, SRI LANKA |
For in depth knowledge on china's debt trap policy , you can read out the link -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt-trap_diplomacy
CONCLUSION :-
SOLUTION
With this rapid increase of Chinese presence it a concern for ASEAN countries , India and U.S . QUAD is actively taking steps to counter the aggression of china.
The QUAD was formed out of U.S, India, Australia, Japan as founding members. In recent months , Philippines had also requested to join QUAD, eventually the founding members are interested enough to expand the group eventually making it easier to counter china. Philippines had also placed the order for Brahmos from India to safeguard its coastline from Chinese navy.
India had also gained a great diplomatic power after the Galwan valley conflict, India had projected itself as the only country in the region to challenge Chinese aggression. And eventually Chinese trade had to pay a price for what unfortunate took place in the valley. Chinese trade was hit with a loss of 55,000Cr on the Diwali festive season. "Boycott Made in China" was eventually a successful to make its goal.
In order to safeguard the nation's security India is working on its "Necklace of Diamond" strategy to counter china's "string of pearl". The necklace comprises of some major places namely-
1. Changi naval base in Singapore
2. Chabahar port in Iran
3. Assumption island in Seychelles
4. Sabang port in Indonesia
5. Duqm port in Oman
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| STRING OF PEARL AND NECKLACE OF DIAMOND |
India's access to Changi naval base- https://thediplomat.com/tag/india-changi-naval-base/
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| PM MODI INSPECTING INDIAN NAVY AT CHANGI NAVAL BASE, SINGAPORE |
2. The Iranian Chabahar port provides India the access to Afghanistan and an important trade route to central Asia. Chinese presence at Gwadar in Pakistan can be easily monitored through Chabahar port.
India's access to Chabahar port- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chabahar_Port
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| CHABAHAR PORT, IRAN |
3. Duqm port in Oman is located on the south eastern sea of Oman. In 2018, India got military access to Duqm port. The port facilitates India's crude oil import from Persian gulf. In addition to this Duqm port is located between Djibouti in Africa and Gwadar in Pakistan to act as a naval blockade in course of war.
India's access to Duqm port- https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-gets-access-to-strategic-oman-port-for-military-use-chabahar-gwadar-in-sight-5061573/
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| DUQM PORT, OMAN |
4. In 2015, India and Seychelles agreed upon the development of naval base at Assumption Island which could be used by India for military perspective. This base is of strategic importance to India as China wants to increase its presence in Africa through the maritime route, and fortunately Assumption island lies on the route itself. India planned to invest 550million dollar in building military infrastructure in the region.
India's access to Assumption Island- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-seychelles-agree-to-work-on-assumption-island-project-respect-concerns/story-0nlhY13WxOgbJDTdGZIjaL.html
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| ASSUMPTION ISLAND, SEYCHELLES |
5. In 2018, India got military access to Sabang port which is located right at the entrance of strait of malacca, near nicobar island. A large chunk of trade and crude oil passes to china through this region. Thereby blocking the strait of malacca will eventually push china into an power crisis.
India's access to Sabang port - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabang,_Aceh
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| SABANG PORT, INDONESIA |
In addition to this, India is extensively participating in naval exercises and strengthening its ties with France, U.S, Australia, Japan and Vietnam.
At present India is making strong ties with Bangladesh to get access to Chitagong port of Bangladesh in the necklace of diamond strategy. Alon with it India is also increasing its cooperation with France and U.S to get access to reunion island and Diego Garcia. The infrastructural development at Andaman and Nicobar island is undertaking at great pace.
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