Countering Chinese "String of Pearls"

arnabmit

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Indian aircraft to keep an eye on Straits of Malacca

The Indian Navy plans to deploy its medium-range Dornier surveillance aircraft at its furthest air station at Campbell Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar islands to keep a regular watch on the oil and cargo traffic passing through the strategic Malacca Strait and two other crucial sea lanes used to ferry these materials to China and South East Asia.

Almost a year after a 3,500 ft runway was made operational at the "INS Baaz" – the Navy's eastern most air station in the Campbell Bay – Defence Minister AK Antony told the navy commanders on Tuesday to go ahead with improving the infrastructure in the Andaman and Lakshwadeep islands.

The Navy needs to construct repair depot, hanger, fuel dump and residential complexes at Campbell Bay before basing its Dornier aircraft for continuous surveillance of Malacca, Sunda and Lombok straits.

The latest long-range surveillance aircraft P8I – the first one to arrive in India on Wednesday – will be based at Aarakkonam on the Tamil Nadu coast but will add to the Navy's surveillance capability.

The islands, particularly the Andaman, are getting more strategic attention to counter China's growing expansion in the Indian Ocean region.

An "arc of democracy" spanning from Djibouti to Port Blair to Yokosuka is being conceived in the strategic circle as a counter-measure to tackle China's "String of Pearls" which is basically a set of ports with considerable Chinese influence encircling India.

"Few other places bear more strategic importance than the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The Indian Ocean region will certainly gain strategic importance even more in future," Tara Aso, Deputy Prime Minister of Japan stated at a function in the capital earlier this month. Japan has its first-ever overseas base in Djibouti.

Aso's statement assumes significance in the wake of the USA repositioning its assets and force-level in the Asia-Pacific with the aim of countering China.

Washington is shifting 60 per cent of its naval assets in this region and investing in new platforms and technologies suitable for the Indian Ocean. Antony said construction of additional bases and naval air stations in the Andaman and Nicobar islands as well as the Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands was necessary to extend India's operational reach.

The approval, sources said, would lead to acceleration of infrastructure creation at forward operating bases like Kamorta (Nicobar Islands) and Diglipur (Andaman) and naval air enclaves at Agati (Lakshadweep) and Androth (A&N).

The defence minister also reminded the commanders on the "operational constraints" in terms of shortage of submarines, mine counter-measure vessels and ship-borne helicopters. While six French Scorpene are being manufactured at Mazgaon Dock, the Navy is negotiating the price with foreign vendors to buy 12 mine sweeper vessels.
 

s002wjh

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This string of pearls is not so much of a problem for us as it is for China. We have only one idiotic country in our part of the world and that is Pakistan. But China has everyone in SCS as its enemy. We too have started the process of supporting these countries in SCS who have some issues with China. China will find itself completely bottled up in its waters once Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries start deploying Brahmos missiles. Let us see how many ships of PLAN will be able to escape and attack any kind of ship anywhere in the world.
i have to disagree on this. the only country that has dispute currently is vietnam/phillppine. camboia,indonesia,lao,singpor, thai etc dont have these kind dispute with china and they are china business partner. between vietnam/phillippine, only vietnam can consider has some threat to china.
also a brahmo is not a solution to solve all problems. soviet/china and other country has supersonic missile for ages, does it stop US warships. you need alot supporting equipment/platform for the missile, so it CAN hit the target.
the only country china have some worry about is Japan, unlike vietnam/phillippin, japan has advance military equipment and a powerful economy.
also ASEAN has dispute between each other, and for those non-involve party, they won't bother to help vietnam/phillippine to antagonize china without signficant benefit/interest.
and i doubt just because vietnam/phillippine has some supersonic missile, it can stop chinas fleet. if it were that easy, soviet would done it long ago.
 

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@Kunal Biswas @Decklander what is the strategic importance of all the 5 Indian and 2 foreign locations in the first post? Individually, which ones are feasible and which ones are not?
All these location have strategical importance for India but I doubt about foreign locations. We can not stop Chinese base in foreign soil hence we should focus on creating new bases to cover Arabian sea and bay of bangal. In most cases we would be dog fighting with Chinese fighters in sea for air dominance that is crucial for us. I still believe that our aircraft carriers can be more effective to use air power wherever needed because we can not create that much bases soon in future.

1. This location is best to monitor strait of malacca. We already have bases in Andman and Nicobar that is primary and will neutralize any air power from Myanmar. We can make effective naval blockade with our strong naval presence in this area.

2. This location is too close to Andman & Nicobar and I don't think we need another air base in this area as we already have a strong air base in andman. This island can be used as temporary air strip as well as station SAM to defend any aggression from Myanmar.

3. This location is very important as per my view because it can neutralize Chinese air power in Chinese air base in Chittagong. This base in Bangladesh is very critical for Chinese too hence we must play aggressively to neutralize this base because of its proximity with Indian base and cost. From myanmar base it is difficult to make any air raid but from Chittagong Chinese can pose a serious threat to our port in Vishakhapattnam, kolkata, and north east front.

4 & 5. I am not sure about these two locations as it is so close to Chinese base in Maldives and can be under attack.
 
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arnabmit

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Apart from 2 & 3, Anthony seems to agree with me on other counts... :yey:

Secure our bases and dockyards: Antony | idrw.org

All these location have strategical importance for India but I doubt about foreign locations. We can not stop Chinese base in foreign soil hence we should focus on creating new bases to cover Arabian sea and bay of bangal. In most cases we would be dog fighting with Chinese fighters in sea for air dominance that is crucial for us. I still believe that our aircraft carriers can be more effective to use air power wherever needed because we can not create that much bases soon in future.

1. This location is best to monitor strait of malacca. We already have bases in Andman and Nicobar that is primary and will neutralize any air power from Myanmar. We can make effective naval blockade with our strong naval presence in this area.

2. This location is too close to Andman & Nicobar and I don't think we need another air base in this area as we already have a strong air base in andman. This island can be used as temporary air strip as well as station SAM to defend any aggression from Myanmar.

3. This location is very important as per my view because it can neutralize Chinese air power in Chinese air base in Chittagong. This base in Bangladesh is very critical for Chinese too hence we must play aggressively to neutralize this base because of its proximity with Indian base and cost. From myanmar base it is difficult to make any air raid but from Chittagong Chinese can pose a serious threat to our port in Vishakhapattnam, kolkata, and north east front.

4 & 5. I am not sure about these two locations as it is so close to Chinese base in Maldives and can be under attack.
 

Ray

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You're forgetting Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Also, why would SCS countries even care in a Sino-Indian confrontation? What would they have to gain by attacking Chinese ships?
Is that why Bangladesh has stopped issuing visa to Pakistanis?
 

Ray

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The Chinese string of pearls strategy ifs seen dispassionately, is a real great strategic move by China to extend China's influence way beyond its landmass and into areas where their strategic interest lies.

Indian Ocean is critical to China since natural resources from the Middle East and Africa are absolutely essential to fuel China's industry and economy. Therefore, there has to be uninterrupted transportation of the same and the sea route makes economic sense, apart from the land routes she is/ has established from various foreign countries such as Pakistan and Myanmar as the alternative in case the sea route is disrupted.

The impediments to the safe transit of Chinese goods and shipping through the Indian Ocean are the US Navy and the Indian Navy, and thus as a corollary, the US and India.

To counter the US, the Chinese are hard at enlarging her Navy with the accent on Blue Water and long range capabilities, to include intermediate refueling facilities.as in Sri Lanka and Seychelles, amongst others.

Ideal cover to 'peaceful' oceanographic mapping and gaining knowledge of the Indian Ocean's profile is the covert activity of joining other nations in combatting the Somali pirates and also learning of the seakeeping prowess of the foreign navies that are on the same task.

India, however, requires to be kept on a tight leash and isolated to pursue Chinese aims. Hence, the string of pearls starting from Myanmar, to SL and onto Pakistan with an attempt at Maldives by establishing a string around ports that can take on the activities of the Chinese Navy to neutralise the Indian Navy in its own backyard. Likewise, China is keeping the landmass of India bordering Tibet active.

To counter the Chinese, India has to adopt a very proactive foreign and defence policy. Maldives, Seychelles have to be dissuaded from falling to the Chinese charm. SL told in no uncertain terms where her interest lies and India should forcefully espouse the Tamil cause, short of supporting any insurrection. That will assist SL to realise which side of the bread is buttered and at the same time assist SL in its development.

India should also encourage liberation movements in Pakhtukhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Tibet and Xinjiang so as to tell them what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Afghanistan should be assisted economically and strong ties with the CAR nations would ensure that Chinese and Pakistani interest there is kept at bay.

And, last but not the least, India must get its military outfitting, to include organising a larger Navy at the earliest with a more cogent and comprehensive land and air response to Chinese adventurism that .they are exhibiting on our Northern borders.
 
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t_co

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Ray, what you don't understand is that the Chinese interest in the IOR can be pursued without infringing on the interests of India. China would much rather it didn't have to spend billions of dollars building up naval bases in the IOR, but unfortunately, India has never offered China any sort of security guarantee on Chinese shipping through the region.

If India simply promised to act as the safeguard for Chinese IOR shipping, then a substantial roadblock to Sino-Indian relations would be removed - and more than that, turned into a good reason for both sides to become friends, or at least remain friendly.

The Chinese string of pearls strategy ifs seen dispassionately, is a real great strategic move by China to extend China's influence way beyond its landmass and into areas where their strategic interest lies.

Indian Ocean is critical to China since natural resources from the Middle East and Africa are absolutely essential to fuel China's industry and economy. Therefore, there has to be uninterrupted transportation of the same and the sea route makes economic sense, apart from the land routes she is/ has established from various foreign countries such as Pakistan and Myanmar as the alternative in case the sea route is disrupted.

The impediments to the safe transit of Chinese goods and shipping through the Indian Ocean are the US Navy and the Indian Navy, and thus as a corollary, the US and India.

To counter the US, the Chinese are hard at enlarging her Navy with the accent on Blue Water and long range capabilities, to include intermediate refueling facilities.as in Sri Lanka and Seychelles, amongst others.

Ideal cover to 'peaceful' oceanographic mapping and gaining knowledge of the Indian Ocean's profile is the covert activity of joining other nations in combatting the Somali pirates and also learning of the seakeeping prowess of the foreign navies that are on the same task.

India, however, requires to be kept on a tight leash and isolated to pursue Chinese aims. Hence, the string of pearls starting from Myanmar, to SL and onto Pakistan with an attempt at Maldives by establishing a string around ports that can take on the activities of the Chinese Navy to neutralise the Indian Navy in its own backyard. Likewise, China is keeping the landmass of India bordering Tibet active.

To counter the Chinese, India has to adopt a very proactive foreign and defence policy. Maldives, Seychelles have to be dissuaded from falling to the Chinese charm. SL told in no uncertain terms where her interest lies and India should forcefully espouse the Tamil cause, short of supporting any insurrection. That will assist SL to realise which side of the bread is buttered and at the same time assist SL in its development.

India should also encourage liberation movements in Pakhtukhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Tibet and Xinjiang so as to tell them what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Afghanistan should be assisted economically and strong ties with the CAR nations would ensure that Chinese and Pakistani interest there is kept at bay.

And, last but not the least, India must get its military outfitting, to include organising a larger Navy at the earliest with a more cogent and comprehensive land and air response to Chinese adventurism that .they are exhibiting on our Northern borders.
 

amoy

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@t_co what do u mean by "security guarantee"? when the US has Diego Garicia and pssibly Gan Port, the freedom of navigation in Indian Ocean is thus guaranteed. A power does not live on promises, instead on the might to keep "promises" honored.

besides how can a self serving Indian be trusted ? for example India claims itself an ally of US. On the other hand it's extremely intimate with Iran a rogue state who is developing WMD and threatening to erase Israel. also India has been playing dilly dally with US in reducing crude import from Iran.


Sent from my 5910 using Tapatalk 2
 
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bose

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@t_co what do u mean by "security guarantee"? when the US has Diego Garicia and pssibly Gan Port, the freedom of navigation in Indian Ocean is thus guaranteed. A power does not live on promises, instead on the might to keep "promises" honored.

besides how can a self serving Indian be trusted ? for example India claims itself an ally of US. On the other hand it's extremely intimate with Iran a rogue state who is developing WMD and threatening to erase Israel. also India has been playing dilly dally with US in reducing crude import from Iran.


Sent from my 5910 using Tapatalk 2
How about China keeping intimate relationship and helping rogue state of North Korea and a terrorist state of Pakisthan?
 
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nimo_cn

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How about China keeping intimate relationship and helping rogue state of North Korea and a terrorist state of Pakisthan?
Unlike India, we never claimed ourselves to be an ally of America.

Sent from my HUAWEI T8951 using Tapatalk 2
 

t_co

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How about China keeping intimate relationship and helping rogue state of North Korea and a terrorist state of Pakisthan?
Amoy's point was that Iran and the US hate each other, but India somehow tries to play both sides of that equation, and hence such behavior shows untrustworthiness. North Korea and Pakistan have no such hatred between them, so there's no contradiction with China's engagement of both. If you wanted to make such a point, you could state that China is currently the only nation with decent relations with both South and North Korea.

However, @amoy, I would argue that such actions demonstrate flexible and mature diplomatic behavior, rather than any self-serving nature. All nations seek to protect their interests, and actions like simultaneously engaging the US and Iran - actions which rationally advance Indian interests in a relatively benign way - are actions that China should encourage.

We have a neo-Stalinist atavism on our northern border, a bunch of paranoid, insecure, and/or hyperaggressive southern neighbors beholden to rabid displays of nationalism and territorial frictions, and our centuries-old rival prepping for the big one with us in the East China Sea, not to mention the world's most powerful country adopting a policy of hegemony over our backyard. Do we really need more trouble? A rational, calm, and secure India that helps protect Chinese interests in IOR shipping and learns to lift up its neighbor via economic engagement rather than beat it down via armed threats is what China should aim for here.
 
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bose

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Unlike India, we never claimed ourselves to be an ally of America.

Sent from my HUAWEI T8951 using Tapatalk 2
India has a very friendly relationship with America... We value our friendship, BUT remember India is NOT United Kingdom...India is TOO big to be a stooge for America"¦

Your dearest friend Pakistan has sold whatever little it has to America...
 

Known_Unknown

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I think if India and China are able to set up some version of NAFTA between them, the dividends from that would be the greatest incentive to solve the border disputes and become friendly towards each other. Instead of blaming each other, both nations need to become each other's largest trading partners and technology collaborators.

Just like North America functions like one economic unit, if South and East Asia led by India and China functioned as one unit, it would hasten the advent of the Asian century.
 

arnabmit

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@t_co

India never was an ally of US, never will be. India is a soft state with a huge and very frustrated army governed by greedy eunuchs. India ties to be non-aligned to everyone militarily.

Basically India's motto is "live and let live", even to the point of being myopic and foolish. Keep appeasing everyone till they hurts you bad.

Unlike India, we never claimed ourselves to be an ally of America.

Sent from my HUAWEI T8951 using Tapatalk 2
 
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bose

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Amoy's point was that Iran and the US hate each other, but India somehow tries to play both sides of that equation, and hence such behavior shows untrustworthiness. North Korea and Pakistan have no such hatred between them, so there's no contradiction with China's engagement of both. If you wanted to make such a point, you could state that China is currently the only nation with decent relations with both South and North Korea.
India - Iran relationship is historical and India can not forget Iran's help we got in the time of our need... Except during the time of Shah of Iran a stooge of America, we had an excellent relationship with Iran... India will never lose its relationship with Iran just because another country have bad relationship with Iran...India has a huge energy requirement comming in near future. we have to balance with out getting into any camp politics...

India shares USA concerns on Iran's nuclear programs but that can not be addressed just by cutting off relationship with Iran...

However, @amoy, I would argue that such actions demonstrate flexible and mature diplomatic behavior, rather than any self-serving nature. All nations seek to protect their interests, and actions like simultaneously engaging the US and Iran - actions which rationally advance Indian interests in a relatively benign way - are actions that China should encourage.

We have a neo-Stalinist atavism on our northern border, a bunch of paranoid, insecure, and/or hyperaggressive southern neighbors beholden to rabid displays of nationalism and territorial frictions, and our centuries-old rival prepping for the big one with us in the East China Sea, not to mention the world's most powerful country adopting a policy of hegemony over our backyard. Do we really need more trouble? A rational, calm, and secure India that helps protect Chinese interests in IOR shipping and learns to lift up its neighbor via economic engagement rather than beat it down via armed threats is what China should aim for here.
 
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marshal panda

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India & China never shared a border.Situation on the LAC should be linked to Indian recognition of Tibet.
The Chinese string of pearls strategy ifs seen dispassionately, is a real great strategic move by China to extend China's influence way beyond its landmass and into areas where their strategic interest lies.

Indian Ocean is critical to China since natural resources from the Middle East and Africa are absolutely essential to fuel China's industry and economy. Therefore, there has to be uninterrupted transportation of the same and the sea route makes economic sense, apart from the land routes she is/ has established from various foreign countries such as Pakistan and Myanmar as the alternative in case the sea route is disrupted.

The impediments to the safe transit of Chinese goods and shipping through the Indian Ocean are the US Navy and the Indian Navy, and thus as a corollary, the US and India.

To counter the US, the Chinese are hard at enlarging her Navy with the accent on Blue Water and long range capabilities, to include intermediate refueling facilities.as in Sri Lanka and Seychelles, amongst others.

Ideal cover to 'peaceful' oceanographic mapping and gaining knowledge of the Indian Ocean's profile is the covert activity of joining other nations in combatting the Somali pirates and also learning of the seakeeping prowess of the foreign navies that are on the same task.

India, however, requires to be kept on a tight leash and isolated to pursue Chinese aims. Hence, the string of pearls starting from Myanmar, to SL and onto Pakistan with an attempt at Maldives by establishing a string around ports that can take on the activities of the Chinese Navy to neutralise the Indian Navy in its own backyard. Likewise, China is keeping the landmass of India bordering Tibet active.

To counter the Chinese, India has to adopt a very proactive foreign and defence policy. Maldives, Seychelles have to be dissuaded from falling to the Chinese charm. SL told in no uncertain terms where her interest lies and India should forcefully espouse the Tamil cause, short of supporting any insurrection. That will assist SL to realise which side of the bread is buttered and at the same time assist SL in its development.

India should also encourage liberation movements in Pakhtukhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Tibet and Xinjiang so as to tell them what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Afghanistan should be assisted economically and strong ties with the CAR nations would ensure that Chinese and Pakistani interest there is kept at bay.

And, last but not the least, India must get its military outfitting, to include organising a larger Navy at the earliest with a more cogent and comprehensive land and air response to Chinese adventurism that .they are exhibiting on our Northern borders.
 

bose

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I think if India and China are able to set up some version of NAFTA between them, the dividends from that would be the greatest incentive to solve the border disputes and become friendly towards each other. Instead of blaming each other, both nations need to become each other's largest trading partners and technology collaborators.

Just like North America functions like one economic unit, if South and East Asia led by India and China functioned as one unit, it would hasten the advent of the Asian century.
It is a brilliant idea but not going to happen in Asia at least in for seeable future... In Asia the racial hate rate is more pronounce than you find in North America or in Europe"¦ then there is then manufactured boundary issues created intentionally to grab land from smaller neighbors"¦

Maybe Asia needs something like a WW-II like situation to bring the people to their scenes"¦
 

Ray

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One can guarantee security of shipping on the high seas.

The high seas belongs to all, but the Navy that has greater presence and clout normally 'influences' the movement.
 

binayak95

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i have to disagree on this. the only country that has dispute currently is vietnam/phillppine. camboia,indonesia,lao,singpor, thai etc dont have these kind dispute with china and they are china business partner. between vietnam/phillippine, only vietnam can consider has some threat to china.
also a brahmo is not a solution to solve all problems. soviet/china and other country has supersonic missile for ages, does it stop US warships. you need alot supporting equipment/platform for the missile, so it CAN hit the target.
the only country china have some worry about is Japan, unlike vietnam/phillippin, japan has advance military equipment and a powerful economy.
also ASEAN has dispute between each other, and for those non-involve party, they won't bother to help vietnam/phillippine to antagonize china without signficant benefit/interest.
and i doubt just because vietnam/phillippine has some supersonic missile, it can stop chinas fleet. if it were that easy, soviet would done it long ago.
And what about Japan, Taiwan? And Australia is even more paranoid about China than us!
 

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