Geopolitical Strategies: India's Response to China's Belt and Road Initiative

Introduction

• 2013: China expands its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Massive projects in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives concern India.
• China and India: Military and economic tensions escalate.

Recap of Previous Episodes

1. China Surrounds India: Using weak economic situations in countries around India.
2. Alternate Trade Routes: Investment in oil refineries, cables, railway lines, and pipelines.
3. Strategic Railways: From London to China and from China to Iran.

India's Strategy Against BRI

• Question: What is India doing to tackle the security implications of BRI?
• Historical Quote: "Whoever conquers the Indian Ocean will dominate the whole of Asia" - Alfred Thier.
• Indian Ocean: Significance in trade and geopolitics.

Importance of the Indian Ocean

• 28 countries spanning 3 continents: 21 members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association.
  • Major Nations: Australia, Bangladesh, India, etc.
• Home to 35% of the world’s population: 2.6 billion people.
• Strategic Trade Importance: Connects North Atlantic to Asia-Pacific.
• Chokepoints in Trade: Strait of Hormuz, Malacca, Babel Mandeb.

Key Chokepoints

1. Strait of Hormuz: Between Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
2. Strait of Malacca: Between Malay Peninsula and Sumatra island.
3. Babel Mandeb: Between Yemen (Arabian Peninsula) and Djibouti/Eritrea (Horn of Africa).
4. Other Chokepoints: Mozambique Channel, Suez Canal, Sunda Strait, Lombok Strait.

Chinese Strategy: