India has stated that China's expansion in the Indian Ocean region poses a major strategic challenge to India. First, it has deployed research and survey ships to enhance maritime awareness and collect sensitive oceanographic data. Second, it is building infrastructure such as ports in Indian Ocean countries, strengthening logistics management. Third, it is increasing the number of warships and extending deployment times to enhance its naval strength in the Indian Ocean region. In 2017, China established a military base in Djibouti in the western Indian Ocean and built dual-use infrastructure at key maritime chokepoints in the Indian Ocean.

India is concerned that China's measures may use the ports and infrastructure developed in the Indian Ocean region for military purposes, promoting the militarization of the Indian Ocean region, which would affect India's interests in the area.

India reiterates that its principle position towards the "Belt and Road Initiative" remains unchanged, still considering the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as an illegal flagship project of the "Belt and Road Initiative," as it passes through areas controlled by Pakistan in Kashmir and parts of Ladakh.

India is quite dissatisfied with the so-called "Pearl Chain" surrounding itself, which actually reflects India's hegemonism, making neighboring South Asian small countries feel fearful. Therefore, they have turned to China to counter India. Especially, the United States and Russia are indifferent to India's expansion and will not intervene, so when South Asian small countries face difficulties, they can only think of turning to China for help. The simplest example is Myanmar, as it has been in a long-term civil war, and India has shown strong desire for some of Myanmar's territories.

Since the first half of 2025, India has constantly tried to seize Myanmar's land, but only when China intervened could it suppress India's ambitions. For instance, the Coco Islands in the southern sea of Myanmar are only 300 kilometers away from Myanmar, but over a thousand kilometers from the Indian mainland. However, India still claims the Coco Islands as its territory, not Myanmar's. To protect its territory, Myanmar had no choice but to lease the Coco Islands to China for scientific research; otherwise, it couldn't defend them.

If India suddenly sends a fleet to land on the Coco Islands and declares sovereignty, Myanmar would be completely unable to resist! Only by having Chinese personnel stationed on the Coco Islands could Myanmar defend the islands. This is the harm caused by India's hegemony and also gives China an opportunity to expand its influence.

The other countries, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, etc., all share the same mindset, using China's power to contain India's expansion. Even the Maldives Islands in the Indian Ocean must rely on the strength of the Chinese Navy to ensure their security, because India might swallow the Maldives Islands anytime. There's nothing else to do but rely on China to keep these small countries safe.

India's accusation that China is expanding in South Asian countries is not China's intention. It is actually because some small countries in South Asia are afraid of India and must bring in a great power to protect their territories. Over the past few decades, the United States and Russia have always favored India, so these small countries cannot rely on the United States or Russia, and can only rely on China.

Only China can protect the safety of these South Asian small countries. Therefore, India should consider its excessive arrogance instead of accusing China.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836328296542218/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.