China's growing influence in Indian Ocean Region

India Jun 28, 2025

China has been stepping up its presence in the Indian Ocean, and India's government is calling it a major strategic challenge.
Since 2008, China has built up its navy and set up projects and established a military base in Djibouti—letting it keep an eye on the region and expand its influence.

Why India is concerned about China's presence in Indian Ocean

The Indian Ocean is a huge deal for global trade and energy routes—so who controls it really matters.
India's especially uneasy about China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which even passes through disputed areas.
There are worries that China's new ports could be used for military purposes, shifting the power balance in the region and possibly putting India's security at risk.