“NECKLACE OF DIAMONDS”: A GIFT FROM INDIA TO CHINA

“Necklace of Diamonds” is a theoretical name given to the strategic locations of India in different countries to surround China. It is a similar strategy which is used by China to surround India in Indian ocean and theoretical name for Chinese one is “String of Pearls”. China has taken control over many ports around the Indian ocean at lease from different countries to counter India. So, similarly now India has also done the same but with larger aspects that is India has now surrounded the areas of China from all four sides.

China laid One Belt One Road Initiative and for the same “String of Pearls” is its part but bureaucrats see it as a strategic step by China to combat India in the future. They have developed many ports and military bases at different locations in the India ocean. For example Hambantota port at Sri-Lanka, Kyaukpyu port in Myanmar, Chittagong port in Bangladesh, the Gwadar port in Pakistan, Military base at Djibouti, Africa.  The area of Strait of Hormuz which connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that finally leads to the Indian ocean is a strategic location. Middle-East countries are the petroleum oil supplying countries that lie in these regions and they transport it via the Indian ocean to different countries of the world. So, it is very strategic, if China gets control over these areas then during war or at any instance, China can trouble India by creating turmoil in these areas. If India gets cut-off from these region then the supply of petroleum oil will be disturbed, which can lead to a crisis in the country.

It is a nice step taken by India to tackle the strategy of China and it was done over a period of many years and many of the locations were built as soon as China built theirs. For example, Sittwe port in Myanmar, a port at Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Duqm port in Oman, Chabahar port in Iran. India has good diplomatic relations with countries like Madagascar, Maldives, and Bangladesh. In recent times, India has also landed in the South China Sea in the Philippines and Vietnam. Japan and Australia were always sharing good relations with India and Mongolia have also increased relations with India. Now, India is also requesting Sri-Lanka to let India built a port at Colombo which seems to be granted soon then India’s strategy will be fulfilled.

In my perspective, it is a good and applaudable step taken by India. Amidst taking such steps will not withhold China for a long time, there must be some more steps to be taken by India. India should increase its diplomatic relations with more South-Eastern countries. Moreover, India must always be proactive with its neighboring countries and increase more relations with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.