China’s ‘String of Pearls’ in the Indian Ocean: A Challenge For India

Abstract The Asian region has become the epicenter of global economic and geopolitical change. In this regard, the Pakistan Economic Corridor, ‘String of Pearls’ and the Maritime Silk Road in relation to the China Myanmar Economic Corridor are inclusive examples in this region. China has been trying to surround India in the Indian Ocean for a long time. In recent years, Chinese efforts have seen considerable upsurge. For this, it is working on a scheme called ‘String of Pearls’. To make the Indian Ocean a hub of trans-regional connectivity through several alternative routes. Despite China’s effectual interests in the Indian Ocean, its naval presence will particularly have a significant impact on the security of India and other major powers. However, as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Beijing’s strategic culture is more focused on self defense. Because the purpose of the ‘String of Pearls’ is to establish a Silk Road near the Indian Ocean region. There has been competition between India and China to find other such routes in the Indian Ocean region that could have a significant impact. The purpose of this article is to discuss China’s objectives, its approach to the Indian Ocean and its impact on India’s security measures to prevent it. Keywords: String of Pearls, Indian Ocean Region, India, China, Chinese.