Recently, India plans to significantly increase its naval capabilities against the backdrop of intensifying competition with China. This move makes one wonder if the United States is behind the scenes, looking for an ally that can counterbalance China.
However, the reality is that despite the gap between the Indian Navy and China in terms of size, they have already begun to act aggressively. India's Quadripartite military alliance with the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Australia is quite impressive, but its actual military strength still needs to be improved.
For years, India's defense focus has been on land border disputes with Pakistan and China. But as the global outlook expanded, New Delhi began to turn its attention to the ocean. They actively participated in anti-piracy patrols in the waters of the Middle East and Africa, and even sent fleets to the Red Sea to protect merchant ships from the threat of the Houthis.
In addition, India has joined the so-called "quad" military alliance, joining the United States, Australia and Japan in expressing concern about China's military posture. However, apart from rhetorical support and populist clamour, this coalition has not made substantial progress.
If India clashes with China in the South China Sea, they are likely to find themselves alone and unable to compete with the world's largest naval power. Therefore, it is a critical time for India to seriously consider strengthening its naval capabilities.
It is worth noting that the Indian Navy recently sent 3 guided missile destroyers and 1 reconnaissance aircraft to the waters of the Middle East in response to attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on passing ships. This action not only protects India's best interests, but also demonstrates their determination to be an international maritime stability force.
In the past month, the Indian Navy has aided at least four ships, three of which were attacked by the Houthis and another by Iran, although Tehran has denied the accusation.
The Indian Navy has also carried out several anti-piracy missions. On January 26, the Indian destroyer Vishakhapatnam helped the crew of a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker extinguish a fire that broke out after a missile attack in the Gulf of Aden. Two weeks ago, he also helped the merchant ship Genco Picardy get in distress in the same waters after a drone strike in Yemen.
Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chavrama, former commander of the Indian Southern Navy Command, once emphasized: "If you are not a maritime power, you can never be a world power." This statement reflects India's deep awareness of its maritime position. They have positioned themselves as a regional power and are working to move towards a global role. This undoubtedly sends a clear signal to China that India intends to play a greater role in the international arena.
However, despite the importance of maritime security in India's foreign policy, military confrontation with China along disputed borders remains a major challenge for them. China has one of the most powerful navies in the world, with far more ships than India. In addition, the Chinese People's Liberation Army has a powerful coast guard and maritime militia forces, which work together to defend China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.
China's naval bases in the Indian Ocean region are also putting pressure on India. To meet this challenge, India has no choice but to continue to build up its maritime capabilities. They are upgrading their military capabilities by buying more advanced ships, submarines and aircraft, and investing more in the latest technology and infrastructure. At the same time, the Indian Navy is actively involved in joint exercises with other countries in the region and beyond to build a broader international strategic partnership.
However, despite India's international demonstration of military strength and ability to act diplomatically, their main task remains to protect their interests in the South China Sea. After all, 60 percent of India's exports need to be transshipped through the South China Sea, which remains under China's control. Therefore, for Indian naval strategists, how to ensure the safety of these ** routes will be a big challenge for them.
Overall, while India has made some progress in strengthening its naval capabilities, it still faces a number of challenges and constraints. Intensified competition with China and the complexity of the regional security landscape have necessitated a more cautious approach to India's naval development strategy.