What is China’s New Look South Policy against India?

Siddhant Sandhu
May 9, 2023
552

China recently aided Bangladesh in building its own Submarine Base in the Bay of Bengal. Thus it easily tells us that apart from building military and naval bases in and around the world and especially in the Indian Ocean region China is also trying to put hands on countries in need of Chinese manpower and money.

What is Chinas New Looks South Policy against India

The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay which is situated in the east of India and to the south of Bangladesh. While adding one more feather to its nest, china recently helped Bangladesh build its own submarine base where China could supply its own Submarines in the future, thus extending its legs in the Bay of Bengal. The Bay of Bengal is also home to Coco Islands where China is developing infrastructure very close to the Indian coastal border.

Bay of Bengal

It is the world’s largest bay, bounded on the east by India and on the west by Indonesia; littoral countries include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. The region’s economic, diplomatic, and security importance attracts significant powers from both the East and the West (China, Japan, India, the United States, and even Russia). India regards the Bay of Bengal as its immediate region of domination and has been strengthening the littoral countries’ military capabilities. However, China has outspent India in terms of purchasing power.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened BNS Sheikh Hasina, the country’s first submarine station, in Cox’s Bazaar. This Submarine base was made with the help of China which can store 6 submarines and 8 naval vessels together. Bangladesh OM Sheikh Hasina also said that with the country having two submarines of its own, Bangladesh’s PM said that besides helping the country to protect its maritime assets, the base would benefit the “vessels traversing the Bay of Bengal.” This means that a Chinese submarine can also dock at the base in the future.

Strategic Importance Of The Bay Of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal, which stretches from Africa to Indonesia, is an important portion of the Indian Ocean Region. The Bay of Bengal, which is shared by India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, is located on one of the world’s most vital strategic chokepoints, the Malacca Strait, which connects the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea. It is a very important water body for Southern Asia, not just for South Asia. This is due to the fact that the body of water connects India to ASEAN. Second, it is close to the Malacca Strait, the most critical choke point in the Indian Ocean.

Both China and India recognize the significance of the Malacca Strait to their developing economies. As a result, both countries have gotten more linked with the coastal countries. The countries surrounding the Bay of Bengal have a fifth of the world’s population and a combined GDP of USD 3 trillion. Offshoring labour-intensive activities from wealthy countries has benefited the countries.

The Bay of Bengal is also thought to contain major gas deposits. Bangladesh’s reserves are estimated to be 200 trillion cubic feet, making it the largest in Asia-Pacific. Myanmar has Asia’s fourth-largest proven natural gas reserves. It exports petroleum gas to Thailand as well as China. The Bay is also seeing an increase in security. Multilateral exercises involving India, Japan, the United States, and, more recently, Australia have taken place here.

China’s Look South Policy

China is expanding its strategic influence in the region with its new “Look South” Policy, which includes the development of One Belt, One Road (OBOR) and the deployment of warships and submarines in the region. Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Thailand have all agreed to buy frigates and submarines from China for their respective navies. Despite making overtures to these littoral governments, India falls short of China in terms of deep coffers. This provides a chance for India and the United States to work together.

Though India has been given access to the Chattogram and Mongla Ports in Bangladesh, the upcoming presence of the Chinese navy may deter India from operating in the bay’s water. India should also keep in mind the presence of the Coco Islands where the Chinese have already established its presence. On paper, China is the world’s largest navy but we all know that it is not the strongest. But we should keep in mind that Chinese is growing very fast in the waters and countering its presence in the IOR region should be a top priority of India.

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