topic 9

• Seaborne trade has been integral to Asia’s economic growth over the past few decades as

  it remains the cheapest, and most efficient method of transporting large volumes of cargo over long

  distances.
• The Strait of Malacca is a critical component of global maritime trade,

  with about 20% of global maritime trade and 60% of China's trade

  flows moved through the Strait and the South China Sea. This makes

  it the most important sea line of communication for the Chinese

  economy.
• The Strait of Hormuz : Approximately 80% of the crude oil that passes

  through the Strait is destined for Asian markets, with China being a

  major destination.
• Strait of Mandeb – “Bab-el-Mandeb” connects the mediterranean

  sea and the Indian Ocean. The strait is a strategic route for oil and

  natural gas shipments, with a significant portion of China's oil imports

  from the Middle East passing through it.
• The String of Pearls is a geopolitical hypothesis describing China’s network of military and

  commercial facilities, strategically positioned along critical maritime routes, resembling a string of

  pearls encircling India. These facilities include naval bases, ports, infrastructure projects. The

  network is symbolized by “pearls”. The string of pearls not only helps China surround the Indian

  peninsula but also helps build its military presence and expand its global footprint.
• The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) posted in Djibouti is

  supposed to concentrate on ‘military operations other than war’

  (MOOTW). This concept was adopted by China in 2009 and reasserted

  in the 2015 described as directly contributing to international security through non-lethal means.
• China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) = Launched in 2013, CPEC

  is a 15-year, $62 billion investment plan aimed at upgrading Pakistan's

  infrastructure and improving its economy through a network of roads,

  railways, and pipelines connecting China's Xinjiang province’ Kashgar

  to Pakistan's Gwadar port. It is the biggest project under the Belt and

  Road banner.
• Seen as a dual-use port (economic hub-cum-military base)*its gateway to reduce dependency on the Strait of Malacca
• Debt Sustainability = may not be sustainable to Pakistan’s economy, which is declining
• Internal conflict = militant groups cause security threats , causing delays
• Exclusion of local workers : local workers are excluded from design and engineering levels.

  China brought own workforce.
• Restrictions from the IMF: financial and economic tariffs can slow down the progress of the

  projects
• Bangladesh joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2016. The Chittagong port, has

  now granted access to Indian cargo vessels, showcasing growing trust between India and

  Bangladesh. Under the BRI, China has invested significantly in Bangladesh, with projects in energy,

  transportation, and infrastructure sectors. Bangladesh is set to receive $26 billion for BRI projects

  and $14 billion for joint venture projects, totaling a $40 billion package.
• The “Golden Friendship 2024” refers to China and Bangladesh conducting their first-ever joint military exercises in early May of 2024, focusing on United Nations peacekeeping anti-terrorism operations. The joint exercises aimed to enhance mutual understanding, camaraderie, and practical exchanges between the two militaries
• China's involvement in Myanmar includes the construction of a deep-water port in Kyaukpyu in the Bay of Bengal, providing China with strategic influence in the IOR. Additionally, China has been involved in the development of a naval base in Sittwe, a strategically important sea port close to India's Kolkata. These initiatives aim to enhance China's strategic presence in the Bay of Bengal and the wider IOR.
• China has become Myanmar's biggest source of foreign investment, with BRI projects focusing on areas like hydropower, industrial zones, and connectivity.
• This has led to India pursuing its own "Necklace of Diamonds" strategy, which involves gaining military access to ports and naval bases and building strategic partnerships in countries along the Indian Ocean rim. The goal is to counter China's growing presence and maintain India's

  position as the preeminent power in the Indian Ocean.
• In 2015, during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Seychelles, an

  agreement was reached between India and Seychelles (Assumption Agreement) to jointly develop Assumption Island. The main objectives were to establish an Indian military presence on the strategically located island to monitor shipping, counter piracy, and balance

  China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean Region
• Chabahar Port, Iran- The port is located in southeastern Iran, on the Gulf of Oman. It serves as Iran's only oceanic port and is strategically located near the border with Pakistan. It is crucial for India to access

  Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
• Duqm Port serves as a logistical base for India's maritime

  cooperation initiatives, providing a staging ground for the Indian Navy to extend its role as a net security provider. The port's facilities,

  including a ship repair yard and dry dock, enhance India's maritime capabilities, supporting naval operations, maintenance,

  and repairs.
• India's presence at Duqm Port serves as a security checkmate against China, particularly as China expands its influence in Gwadar, Pakistan. It gives India the ability to counter China at the

  mouth of the Gulf of Oman, strategically positioning India to safeguard its interests in the region
• Its proximity to the Malacca Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint,

  makes it a vital node for enhancing maritime trade routes and connectivity in the region.
• The term "third neighbor" was first used by U.S. Secretary of State James

  Baker in 1990 to refer to the U.S. as a partner for Mongolia beyond its two giant neighbors, Russia and China. The policy aims to balance Mongolia's relations with the 2 giant countries by building ties with

  other major countries, reducing its economic dependence on its neighbors.
• The Act East Policy was launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, building on the earlier Look East Policy initiated in 1992. The Look East Policy focused primarily on economic cooperation with ASEAN countries, while the Act East Policy has a broader focus on strategic, security, and cultural cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
• ‘Nomadic Elephant Exercises’ is a bilateral military training event conducted between India and Mongolia to enhance military cooperation and interoperability.
• ‘Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC)’ - announced in May 2017 by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe as a collaborative vision for development, connectivity, and cooperation between Asia and Africa in the areas