Recently, the Indian Navy has made a feat, two aircraft carriers have gathered in one place and sailed together to the Indian Ocean. Behind this grand occasion is a grand plan with far-reaching significance. And all of this is inextricably linked with China.
According to reports, the Maldives** Moiz recently issued an important notice to India, demanding that India fully withdraw its troops from the Maldives by March 15. The news sparked an uproar inside and outside India and was seen as a major challenge to India's influence in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives is a popular tourist destination, but its location is significant. Located in the Indian Ocean, the islands of the Maldives are scattered over a 960-kilometre-long ridge, forming a maritime barrier that serves as a "toll booth" in the Indian Ocean. The gap between the north and south ends of the Maldives is one of the key passages of the Indian Ocean shipping lanes, and all ships that need to pass through the Strait of Malacca, the Gulf of Aden, and the Strait of Hormuz need to pass through these sea lines.
Muiz's announcement undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to India, which is aware that its influence in the Maldives is being challenged. In order to preserve its position in the Indian Ocean, India moved quickly and decided to replace the Maldives by establishing a new naval aviation base in the Indian islands of Lakshadweep, about 507 kilometers from the Maldives.
This decision is not only to guarantee India's military presence in the Indian Ocean, but also to seize the strategic commanding heights to meet the challenge from China. The completion of the Jaatayu base has become the best time for India to show its strength and assert its sovereignty.
Situated on the island of Minikooi in the Lakshadweep archipelago, near the Ninth Degree Strait, the Jatayu base is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. The choice of this location is not accidental, but an important strategic layout of India in the Indian Ocean region.
It is worth mentioning that in order to celebrate the inauguration of the Jaatayu base, India used heavy troops and even sent two aircraft carrier task forces to the base. This feat is not just to celebrate, but to proclaim India's hegemony to the outside world.
This series of events raises questions about whether India is responding to the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean region through this move. China's investment and influence in the Indian Ocean region have expanded in recent years, making it India's number one competitor. India's move is undoubtedly to counter China's influence in the region and maintain its own position.
However, what will be China's reaction to India's move?As the world's second-largest economy, China's influence in the Indian Ocean region is growing, and competition with India is intensifying. How China will react to India's naval base construction is undoubtedly a focus of attention.
How will China respond to this "wrestling" in the Indian Ocean?How to protect your own interests?It's all a big challenge. However, it is believed that China will meet this challenge with its strength and wisdom and continue to maintain its position in the Indian Ocean region.