China’s enormous
investment in CPEC, and port infrastructure in the Indian Ocean, serves much
more than trade. It advances Beijing’s “String of Pearls” strategy, as well as
its unofficial agenda to encircle India. On the Horn of Africa, too, Beijing
has made its presence felt, with the opening of its first overseas military
base at Djibouti. In smaller, poorer countries , China’s influence is based
heavily on economic leverage, using its formidable financial resources to
create a niche for itself by focusing on industrial cooperation, environmental
protection and the reduction of poverty. China has long been interested in the
commercial and strategic potential of Hambantota, Gwadar and Djibuti.
While the Indian Ocean is itself a crucial space, being the
bridge between Africa and the Middle East on one side and Southeast Asia on the
other, Hambantota is right in the middle of vital energy supply lines in the
Indian Ocean, connecting the Middle East and East Asia. As China expands its
maritime reach in the Indian Ocean, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands off the
coast of India have gone high up on the priority list for New Delhi’s defence
policy.
China has established its presence in neighboring
Pakistan, with its port at Gwadar, which is also a vital link in the
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under Xi Jinping’s
Belt and Road Initiative. Gwadar port is considered a strategic location, giving
China an access to the Gulf region and the Middle East. Chabahar port being operationalized
in Iran in 2018 by India, at one end of North South Transport Corridor will be
beneficial to India in countering Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea.
Djibouti's strategic position, in Bab el-Mandeb strait
allows the country to rent some of its territory to foreign military bases. Bab-el-Mandeb
acts as a strategic link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea via
the Red Sea and the Suez Canal the backbone of sea trade. The secret to Djibouti's continued global
importance and its success in recent decades lies in its strategic position on
the Bab el-Mandeb strait and its status as the lone maritime entry and exit
point for its dynamic neighbor, Ethiopia. Djibouti maintains several advantages
in the region, including its relative stability and its current ports and
infrastructure. Competition for access to interior African trade and resources
will intensify, and the tiny country will be pressed to find additional
investment as it tries to hold on to its status as a regional trading hub. Over
the years, Djibouti has moved beyond France after its independence in 1977 and
opened its territory to other powers. The United States, Japan, Italy and China have facilities in Djibouti, and Saudi Arabia
has reportedly signed agreements allowing for its eventual presence there. China
remains a long-term strategic partner
for Djibouti as trade competition intensifies across the region.
Is India in time to
invest and exploit the willingness of the tiny country to get a toe-hold for
commercial & strategic base in the most important trade corridor? With limited
resources at hand India could strengthen relations on the basis of providing
skills, educational and medical facilities, which are perceived as India’s
three areas of greatest strength. India has been deploying one Naval ship in
the Gulf of Aden on anti-piracy tasking since October 2008. The IN ships escort
merchant ships through the 490 nautical mile long Internationally Recommended
Transit Corridor (IRTC). It will not be
too late for India to look for an opportunity to set up a base for anti-piracy
monitoring as a start.
7 comments:
Enterprise, Policy innovations and strengthening our educational infrastructures are key issues that have to be taken up on a war footing if we have to provide our Human Resources in a big way to these newer regions instead of using expensive expansion of our military presence which should be there but in a limited way
The cultural heritage that India shares with these countries remain unexploited which requires urgent and emergent rethinking . If we want to achieve dominance as a devloped country by 2030 as perceived by the technocrats then cultural rejuvenation will act as the proverbial Ram Baan in contrast to financial and strategic over reach. The early 1900 had seen massive exploitation with respect to human exodus in form of slaves for these erstwhile British provinces and this needs to be rekindled . A programme such as Back to the Roots need to be formulated to achieve dominating success
Great analysis, Jai.
Great analysis, Jai.
It's time India takes necessary steps to become the fifth country to establish foothold at Djibuti. The larger point being that MEA itself needs a revamp and incorporate more strategic and military minds to make a holistic appraisal of such issues. FICCI needs to come in and evaluate the business opportunities available. Can we negotiate to create a hub of activities. Maybe we can aim at making it a nodal hub for 'Springboard Activity' in business health and culture with adequate protection through Indian Navy.
Well said Nishit, Anil & KK . Point remains that we are losing precious days, it is time to preempt ansd strategise moves rater than take them as they come. Business is the Key stone and a SWOT analysis is important before taking the bite. Thanks Deepam for the encouragement.
Wonderful news.
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