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The security of a nation is of utmost importance and is maintained by developing excellent defence strategies and advancing the Navy, army and the air force. The nations that share borders with oceans can strengthen their defence through the Navy. Such a defence strategy of China, a geographical theory of the United States, uses sea line communication and builds a network of ports and military and commercial bases throughout the world in various countries. India and China’s relationship are strained and affected due to geographical theory like a string of pearls.
The string of pearls
The string of pearls is a geographical theory put forth by the United States. Political researchers in the United States came up with this geographical theory in 2004. The network of the military of China and commercial facilities along with the sea line communication begins on the Chinese mainland. It extends up to Port Sudan, situated in the Horn of Africa. The strait of Malacca, Strait of Mandel, strait of Hormuz, and the Lombok Strait, which are considered major maritime chokepoints, are also a part of the string of the pearls. In India, it is believed that this strategy was planned with the China Pakistan economic corridor and a few parts of the belt and road initiative and managed by the Chinese communist party general secretary Xi Jinping. The Chinese intentions about this string of pearls are considered a strike against Indian security. The power projection and trade of India, along with territorial integrity, are threatened by the string of the pearls. China has always provided support to Pakistan, which is the traditional enemy of India, which makes this thread a more serious concern. Hence, China could construct an overseas naval military base in Gwadar, a port in Pakistan. Let us learn about the origins of this geographical theory.
The origins of a string of pearls
Booz Allen Hamilton, a consulting firm based in the United States, first proposed the string of pearls geographical theory, which stated that China is trying to expand its Navy by constructing civilian maritime infrastructure in the vicinity of the Indian Ocean. It was estimated in 2008 that China would have to expand its naval presence to protect the supply line of essential materials from the Middle East and Africa to China. The sea line communication link, which connects the Chinese mainland with the ports to Africa and the Middle East, has become an issue of conflict concerning China’s energy security. Let us look at the impacts this geographical theory has had on India.
The impact of a string of pearls on India
Following are the various impacts of the string of pearls geographical theory on India. The string of pearls endangers the Maritime security of India. China is currently developing more submarines, battleships and destroyers and their presence in water nearby threatens the maritime security of India.
The resources of the Indian government will be more focused on the security and defence of the nation. Hence, maximum economic growth will not be achieved by the Indian economy. This will be the root of the cause of instability in the Indian subcontinent. The strategic advantage that India has in the Indian Ocean will be decreased. Currently, no openings are available to China in the Indian Ocean. However, according to the geographical theory of the string of pearls, China could easily surround India and dominate India.
India’s response to a string of pearls
The strategy of Indian tourists points to China’s string of pearl strategy involving the building of ports, CSR that is extensive Coastal surveillance radar to track the activities of China and extremely modern surveillance plans that could easily track down submarines of China. India also uses airports in neighbouring countries to keep an eye on ports that China is constructing.
Establishing better relationships with the South Asian countries and the island nations in the Indian ocean is also a part of the defence strategy of India against the string of pearls. The Indian Navy also carries out regular military exercises with neighbouring nations like Japan, Australia and the United States. India is also developing better military and naval relationships with Australia and Japan. India, Australia, Japan, and the USA carry out military exercises together and are called Quad.
Conclusion:
The string of pearls, a geopolitical theory, was first proposed by a firm in the United States. According to the theory, China is trying to construct a network of military bases and commercial facilities through sea lines of communication, beginning at the Chinese mainland to Port Sudan. China can dominate India in the Indian Ocean and protect its trade interests through this strategy. The security of India is threatened. The economy of India will be affected inversely due to this policy. India has started the construction of many ports and several measures as a response to this strategy.
