China's plan to send a research vessel to ports in Sri Lanka and the Maldives between January and May 2024 for deep-sea exploration has drawn opposition and concern from India. India has always seen itself as the hegemon of South Asia and the Indian Ocean as its sphere of influence, and has a tight defensive attitude towards China's maritime activities. India is concerned that Chinese research vessels will collect its military intelligence and map the Indian Ocean seabed, which could cause damage to India's interests and interests. India has issued warnings to Sri Lanka and the Maldives not to allow Chinese research vessels to call at their ports. This article will describe in detail India's concerns and opposition, as well as the possible impact of a Chinese research vessel entering the Indian Ocean.
India has always viewed China as its greatest threat, and it has also aspired to surpass China in the military sphere. Although India has a strong navy, land and air force, it has always been at a disadvantage in the contest with China. India considers China's military development too rapid, especially the development of the PLA Navy, whose sphere of activity has expanded to the Indian Ocean. India** stressed that China has invested in naval bases and ports in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating its strategic approach to operations in the Indian Ocean. The construction of China's naval bases and ports has given it a growing maritime presence. For example, the navies of China and Pakistan recently conducted joint military exercises that demonstrated China's power at sea.
India has also expressed concern about China's possession of research vessels. India believes that China's scientific research ships are not only for ocean exploration, but also to prepare for China's ** entry into the Indian Ocean. Detailed mapping by Chinese research vessels could lay the groundwork for the extension of China's submarine operations to the African coast. India fears that China is collecting Indian military intelligence under the guise of ocean exploration and expanding the scope of its activities in the Indian Ocean. Taking into account the anti-piracy operations of the PLA off the coast of Africa and in the Gulf of Aden, India believes that the Chinese aircraft carrier strike fleet will soon appear in international waters of the Indian Ocean. In addition, the presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean could also pose a threat to India's security.
India is concerned not only about China's activities, but also about China's influence on small South Asian countries. India has been trying to assert its influence in South Asia by interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, providing economic aid and military cooperation, but this hegemonic behavior is no longer accepted by South Asian countries. The recent public demand for the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Maldives marks a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. Small South Asian countries are increasingly dissatisfied with India's interference and hegemonic behavior, and they hope to reduce their over-dependence on India through diversified diplomacy.
China's plan to send research vessels into the Indian Ocean for deep-sea exploration could have a significant impact on the region. First, China's exploration activities could pose a threat to India's security. The Indian Ocean is one of India's most important strategic waters, and China's activities could interfere with India's maritime superiority in the region.
Secondly, the entry of Chinese research ships could lead to an escalation of regional tensions. India has been trying to maintain some geopolitical advantage in South Asia, and China's maritime activities could challenge India's position. This could lead to further tensions between the two countries, and India could take tougher measures to resist China's activities.
In addition, Chinese research ships could have an impact on small South Asian countries. These small countries are no longer content with being dependent on India, and they want to diversify their foreign policies and reduce their overdependence on India. The presence of Chinese research vessels in the region may provide these small countries with an opportunity to cooperate with China, thereby reducing their dependence on India to some extent.
India's concerns and opposition, as well as the impact of Chinese research vessels entering the Indian Ocean, suggests that the geopolitical landscape in South Asia is changing. India has always seen itself as the hegemon of South Asia, but with the rise of China's economic and military power, India's position is being challenged. The entry of Chinese research ships into the Indian Ocean may have further exacerbated tensions between China and India and had implications for the foreign policy of small South Asian states.
In my opinion, a change in the geopolitical landscape is inevitable. In the context of globalization and economic integration, countries will become more and more interconnected and influential. For India, maintaining regional security and stability is very important, but this does not mean that it must safeguard its own interests through hegemonic means. Instead, differences and disputes should be resolved through dialogue and cooperation. For China, as the world's second-largest economy, its maritime activities have become part of its national interests. China should abide by the rules and norms stipulated by international law and establish relations of mutual trust and cooperation with its neighbors.
Finally, the entry of research vessels should be seen as part of scientific research and the protection of the marine environment. All countries should remain calm and actively seek multilateral cooperation to jointly safeguard regional peace and prosperity, instead of resolving issues through confrontation and confrontation. Only through cooperation of mutual trust, equality and mutual respect can we achieve common development and win-win results.