Collaboration Vs Competition: The Contrast In Indian And Chinese Navy’s Approaches In The High-Seas – Analysis
Multiple vital maritime trade routes run via the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and the South China Sea. Every year, almost 100,000 vessels make their way through the IOR. The SCS, too, sees the passage of around 60,000 ships. All in all, over 80 per cent of the world’s seaborne trade is steered through these lanes.
In these waters, undoubtedly of great importance to global shipping and business, the dominance of two regional powers’ navies is noteworthy: the Indian Navy and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
On the surface, it is the tale of two Asian navies vying to protect their interests in geopolitically sensitive areas. However, underneath that sweeping generalisation, there is a world of difference.
The Indian Navy has emerged as a “go-to” security provider in the IOR. Recent analyses suggest that New Delhi is poised to take a more proactive role in the SCS, potentially enhancing its influence significantly.
In contrast, the Chinese Navy faces considerable regional pushback due to its aggressive maritime actions in the SCS. Even Southeast Asian nations that are close trading partners are constantly at odds with China over maritime boundaries. Physical clashes with the Chinese Coast Guard are common, too.
Behind this difference are the distinct tactics that India and China follow. While one follows the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- the world is one family- and focuses on collaboration, the other is competitive, and resorts to blatant coercion.
India’s Collaborative Approach
The Indian Navy takes part in at least 20 joint naval exercises at bilateral, trilateral, and multilateral levels. The aim of these endeavours is to foster regional collaboration, enhance interoperability, and build trust, among others. The impact thus far has been very positive. These exercises have not only reinforced trust between nations and built collective security, but have also given the Indian Navy significant leadership in global maritime commons.
The Indian Navy also actively participates in multilateral forums and institutions, such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-Plus), and the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions are another important facet of India’s collaborative approach in the region. The Indian Navy has executed complex HADR operations in response to natural disasters and crises. There is a long list of such operations, a few of the notable ones being the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, the 2015 Operation Rahat in Yemen, rescue efforts after Cyclone Idai hit Mozambique in 2019, and Operation Samudra Setu 1 and 2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. These missions served multiple purposes, from building trust and goodwill to soft power projection that reinforced India’s image as a benevolent leader in the global south.
Apart from HADR missions, the Indian Navy’s focus on collaboration and cooperation is also apparent when it comes to combating maritime crimes like piracy. Since 2008, the Navy has been active in anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden, guarding commercial shipping lanes. Notable incidents include aiding MV Chem Pluto after it was hit by a drone attack and the rescue operation for MV Ruen after it was hijacked by pirates.
Both these instances also pointed to the effectiveness of the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in crisis coordination. The Centre, hosted by the Indian Navy, acts as an information-sharing hub for multiple countries. IFC-IOR hosts International Liaison Officers (ILOs) from 12 partner nations. It also has over 65 international operational connections with other nations and multinational/maritime security centres. It is, of course, yet another clear indication of how India prioritises security through collaboration and cooperation.
It is suitable to highlight here that while China has attempted to ramp up anti-piracy operations in the IOR, it has failed to effectively participate in a similar effort closer home in the waters surrounding the Malacca Straits. This is indicative of the strong geo-political underpinnings that drive PLA Navy deployments off the Horn of Africa.
Chinese Navy’s Competitive, Coercive Tactics
When one looks at the Chinese Navy, a starkly different strategic approach can be easily discerned. The Chinese Navy, initially focused on coastal security, has aggressively expanded its capabilities. Driven by China’s economic growth and ambitions to assert itself as a global maritime power, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has undergone rapid technological transformation, becoming a key instrument of China’s hegemonic ambitions and expansionist mindset.
Since Xi Jinping took power, China has been deploying advanced warships and submarines and establishing overseas military bases, such as the one in Djibouti. All of this is being done with the expressed aim of asserting Chinese dominance in the maritime domain.
Then, there is China’s aggressive stance in the SCS: the epitome of its competitive maritime strategy. The PLAN and China’s Coast Guard use coercive tactics— ranging from regular incursions in disputed territories to attacking other nations’ troops— to assert territorial claims.
China’s use of grey zone operations that fall short of military conflict, especially towards Taiwan and the Philippines, is well-documented. These tactics often include the use of the Maritime Militia and the Coast Guard to harass and intimidate vessels from neighbouring countries. Such actions have led to frequent standoffs and heightened regional tensions, undermining regional stability and security.
Another one of China’s well-known tactics, one that is masked as a cooperative endeavour, is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These initiatives involve significant investments in infrastructure, often in ports and roads.
China’s money and the development projects it sponsors both have dual purposes. The infrastructure, the official line goes, is to enhance commercial operations. Yet, all of it also has clear military uses and strategic importance. From roads that cut down the time the Chinese forces need to move from point A to B, to ports that the PLAN’s warships can frequent, it is all there in front of our eyes.
The intention behind the Chinese investment is just as dubious. Indeed, it helps in setting up the strategic infrastructure Beijing needs. But at the same time, the world has witnessed its debt-trapping powers.
All in all, the dual-use infrastructure and investment under the aegis of the BRI make up China’s vicious “debt diplomacy” coercion tactic. Nations are burdened with unaffordable loans and become vulnerable to Chinese arm-twisting.
Overall, China’s operational approach remains cautious. The PLAN often avoids direct confrontations, but seeks to breed anxiety via gray zone warfare. At the same time, Beijing seeks to bolster its influence among nations in the region not by building trust and goodwill, but by cornering them strategically and economically.
Impact on Regional Stability
The Indian Navy’s collaborative approach promotes a rules-based maritime order, fostering stability and cooperation. Through initiatives like the IFC-IOR and active participation in regional forums, the Indian Navy enhances regional security and economic prosperity.
The PLAN’s aggressive tactics and territorial ambitions have worsened regional tensions and eroded trust among neighbouring countries. This has also led to significant pushback against Beijing from nations like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Future Implications
Reinforcing cooperative frameworks and addressing competitive threats are crucial to ensuring long-term peace and stability in the IOR and beyond.
A multi-pronged strategy that counters the intertwined military and economic aspects of Chinese coercion is the need of the hour. The task is Herculean; it will require multiple nations and their navies to plan and work as one to ensure the greatest efficiency.
As global powers continue to navigate these waters, promoting a collaborative maritime environment will be key to maintaining regional and international security.
