Modi's government suddenly realized that there were so many "Chinese elements" around them, and the Indian Ocean was almost becoming China's. Instantly, a sense of crisis erupted, and paranoia kicked in. However, China's goals are certainly not as short-sighted as Modi's government imagines.

(Modi's government suddenly realized how much China has done in the Indian Ocean)

Recently, the Indian Parliament's Standing Committee on External Affairs released a report stating that external forces, especially China, are increasingly influencing the Indian Ocean region, posing a major strategic challenge to India.

This report indicates that they found China is enhancing its maritime power through various measures:

First, deploying research ships and survey vessels to enhance maritime awareness and collect sensitive oceanographic data;

Second, building ports and infrastructure in Indian Ocean coastal countries to strengthen logistics management;

Third, increasing the number of warships and extending deployment time to enhance naval strength in the Indian Ocean region.

The report also mentioned China's military base in Djibouti in the western Indian Ocean, as well as the construction of dual-use infrastructure at key maritime chokepoints in the Indian Ocean.

Therefore, the Indian Parliament pointed out that China may use its constructed ports and infrastructure for military purposes, promoting the militarization of the Indian Ocean and thereby affecting India's interests in the Indian Ocean.

(China's military presence in the Indian Ocean makes Modi's government very nervous)

After reading this report from Modi's government, my only feeling is that Modi's government really sees the Indian Ocean as "India's Ocean," and their paranoia is also bursting out.

To be honest, our layout in the Indian Ocean is not aimed at India at all.

We have never considered India as our biggest strategic opponent. Why would we carry out such a series of layouts just for "targeting India"? Building ports, infrastructure, and military bases all require a lot of costs. Is it possible to do so solely for India?

The reason why China is carrying out this series of layouts in the Indian Ocean is also based on our national interests.

The Indian Ocean is a core area of China's "Belt and Road Initiative." The region also includes important flagship projects of the "Belt and Road Initiative"—the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor;

At the same time, the ports we are building in Indian Ocean coastal countries, such as Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, are also to build the "Maritime Silk Road," connecting China's maritime trade network with other regions.

The Indian Ocean is also an important energy and trade route for us.

Opening a map can show that the Indian Ocean is the shortest route connecting China to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, supporting our foreign trade and energy imports.

(Gwadar Port built by China in Pakistan)

Since the Indian Ocean is so important, it naturally requires us to carry out a series of military deployments to protect our overseas assets, overseas interests, and ensure the safety of our energy and trade routes.

Therefore, our military deployments in the Indian Ocean are not specifically targeting any country, let alone competing with India for influence.

Despite this, Modi's government still feels unprecedented fear, as if they are surrounded by China, creating a huge sense of crisis.

The reason why Modi's government feels so uneasy is because they position themselves as China's enemy. Seeing China's military presence around the Indian Ocean, they naturally feel a surge of crisis.

In contrast, other Indian Ocean countries don't have this kind of psychology. Instead, they are even happy to see China's deployments. Why is that?

Because these countries have friendly relations with China and close cooperation, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

While we are building these infrastructures, we are also bringing development opportunities to these countries, which can promote their economic development. Therefore, these countries are also welcoming Chinese investment and construction.

(Infrastructure built by China in South Asian countries will bring development opportunities to them)

Moreover, India always dreams of becoming the "superpower of South Asia." Its layout in South Asia is exclusive, and whenever any country expands its influence into South Asia, it feels uneasy, always thinking that it is coming to compete for the "superpower" status.

Saying that India is a "larger version of the United States" is not an exaggeration at all.

This report from Modi's government shows their narrow zero-sum mindset and their view of the Indian Ocean as their own "exclusive property."

The reality is that our goals are not aimed at India, but rather a strategic layout based on national interests and national development.

Modi's government's anxiety is essentially viewing China's reasonable presence in the Indian Ocean as a "threat," while ignoring the win-win nature of most coastal countries' cooperation with China.

China's layout is not intended to challenge India, but rather based on the needs of global trade, energy security, and common development. If India continues to view regional cooperation with a "hegemonistic mentality," it will only get itself into an isolated and suspicious quagmire.

True strategic vision lies not in blocking others, but in open cooperation.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521587700550369844/

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