| Summary/Abstract |
The Bay of Bengal is of vital strategic, economic and maritime importance, as the Andaman Sea and the Malacca Straits link South and Southeast Asia. The Bay is intrinsically rich in hydrocarbons and minerals. Several major rivers of Asia flow into the Bay and the adjoining seas creating vast sedimentary basins that have potential hydrocarbon deposits. The growing role of the Bay of Bengal as a reservoir of vital resources has contributed to the regional powers’ ability to exert influence in this arena. The changing dynamics are particularly relevant for India and China, whose rising economies are dependent on the steady flow of resources, most importantly oil. The geopolitics of the increasingly volatile South China Sea could possibly impact on India’s interests and relations with Southeast Asian countries. This paper examines whether China and India’s Indian Ocean strategies underpin greater cooperation, rather than competition to generate synergies in the region.
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