| Summary/Abstract |
The Chinese maritime strategy in the Indian Ocean is wider especially for economic development and the regional integration and subsequently, to establish military base in the IOR. However, India’s plan in the IOR is to counter China’s growing maritime power in the region. Therefore, in this direction, India has a pragmatic strategy for the regional engagement with all. But balancing China’s economic and military intrusion in the region is formidable and more complex challenge. The fact of the important matter is that India should have more purposeful and clear engagement in Indian Ocean without feeling China as a challenge. India needs to materialize its capabilities and skillful maneuverability in bringing the island nations of the Indian Ocean into its periphery of influence boosting and building confidence building for the greater consolidation of bilateralism and multilateralism wherever possible in the direction of security and economy. However, to accomplish the set objectives in the Indian Ocean, the region must be a zone of peace for the protection of national interests of all the states. In fact, it will not be an exaggeration to argue that the rise in China’s maritime profile in the Indian Ocean has compelled India to focus on its proactive maritime strategy.
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