News that China is considering a Seychelles offer of a base for its ships means a new strategic headache for India’s military planners.
There’s been much talk in the media of an apparent offer by the Seychelles of a base for Chinese ships deployed to the Gulf of Aden and the West Indian Ocean, to help combat piracy. While it’s not yet clear if the offer has been accepted, Chinese media reports suggest that Beijing is actively considering it as a “resupply” base.
China’s Foreign Ministry was quick to state that Beijing isn’t contemplating a military base in for the Seychelles, adding that it wouldn’t “violate” its traditional policy of “not stationing troops abroad.” Still, China's quest for a foothold in the Indian Ocean isn’t a recent development – and it’s one that India needs to watch carefully.
China began pursuing its so-called “String of Pearls” strategy in the Indian Ocean in 2001 via the commercial route, constructing the Gwadar port. Subsequently, China won contracts to construct ports at Hambantota on the southern tip of Sri Lanka, Chittagong in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu on the east coast of Burma in the Arabian Sea.
The Seychelles is a small island country in the Indian Ocean comprising a group of 115 small islands covering an area about 450 kilometers square. The country has a population of just 87,000, but has a huge Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.4 million square kilometers. The country’s strategic importance can be traced back to the Napoleonic era, when Britain gained control over the island. Much more recently, the U.S. originally intended to develop a base on the Seychelles’ Aldabra Island, but intense pressure from conservationists prevailed, and the United States instead went with Diego Garcia.
China, though, despite having diplomatic relations with the Seychelles dating back to 1976, showed little interest in the country until President Hu Jintao visited in 2007. During Hu’s trip, no less than five bilateral agreements were signed on economic and technical cooperation, education and investment promotion. Hu’s visit for the first time clearly signaled China’s strategic interests in the region.
Last week, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie led a 40-member military delegation to the Seychelles – a big enough group to suggest that Beijing is keen to shore up plans for an active presence for the People’s Liberation Army in the near future. As part of developing military ties, China gifted the Seychelles People's Defense Forcestwo Y-12 aircraft for surveillance and anti-piracy duties. China is also reportedly training 50 SPDF soldiers in China as part of a military cooperation agreement signed in 2004.
All of this will be of particular interest to India. India has actively supported the Seychelles by helping train the SPDF, and has provided a Dornier aircraft, two Chetek helicopters (1981 vintage) and a fast attack craft. Indian ships regularly visit Victoria, and have been active in combating piracy in the waters around the Seychelles. The Indian foreign and defense ministers, meanwhile, visited the Seychelles in 2010, underlining the importance New Delhi places on having friendly relations with the country.
With this in mind, it’s clear that the Chinese naval presence in this part of the Indian Ocean is not in India's interest. But what’s China’s interest in establishing a base in the Seychelles?
For a start, it satisfies China’s hunger for a firm foothold in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles provides the PLA Navy an ideal platform from which to counter any threat to its sea lines of communication from Africa by the U.S. Navy operating out of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean region. In addition, to assist with the resupply, rest and refit of PLAN ships undertaking anti-piracy duties in the region, China requires a large logistics depot, which can be supplied by air and merchant/naval ships. The Seychelles base could therefore eventually be developed into a permanent naval base.
Photo Credit: Olivier Cochard-Labbé
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Sravan
why do they need another port in Seychelles, i thought they use Karachi and Gawdar and anti piracy ships can always make port calls in Kochi, why do the Chinese warships need so many ports just for anti-piracy?
gngottawa
Tense military build up, unclear policy motives, mutual suspicion, tit-for-tat race to win over small allies with largesse. Sound familiar? Is South Asia doomed to repeat the mistakes of the pre-WW1 arms race or Cold War. India and China need to nip this costly race in the bud. Sign a treaty, connect a telephone hotline. Surely there’s enough ocean for all in a region with 4 nuclear powers (including Pakistan and the US navy).
yang zi
it is not costly for China though. China can post a single sampan in a country, India will spend to build a cruiser. China can just make a lot of sampans and let India go bankrupt.
Renji
India is going to have three aircraft carriers. The capability of these carriers will be greater than a single Carrier of Chinese navy. Indian Airforce planned jointly developed PAKFA T-50 Sukhoi which is 100% stealth. Through the MMRCA deal India is going to acquire RAFALE Mirage advanced fighter jets which have 95% stealth capability. They can enter Pakistan or China undetected & fire Brahmos supersonic OR Indias Nuclear attack subs can fire low flying Agni-5 SLBM from a far distance of Chinese coast. Sure this will stop the sleep of Pakistan & Chinese military with advanced defences. J-20 is only at trial stage. Needs many modifications. Chinese old technolgy fighters such as J-10, J-11B & J-15 doesnot have stealth capability. Embraer AWACS & Phalcon AWACS were in the dreams Chinese military & did not materilise. Instead of Sri-Lankan Base India navy may get bases in Vietnam, Philippines Or Brunei !!!
50 cents bridgade
For those who are not familiar with China-India 1962 war, try reading an article written by Neville Maxwell, a British military expert. You will understand why and how the war started. In fact this book is banned in India. The name Neville Maxwell is also banned. Furthermore, it is a offer made by Seychelles government. The Chinese have turned it downed and have always stick to its non military involvement. Just like in Pakistan Gwandar naval base, the Chinese has turn down the Pakistan offer. Can the Indian do likewise? Non of India neighbors have made such an offer as this clearly shows most of India neighbors detest the Indian. Go ask Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, etc.
Girish
If your idea is that Indian neighbors do not like India, then let me tell you every small country want to balance between its fear and friendship with its giant neighbors. Just look at the Chinese case. Every small country around it want to balance the Chinese power by establishing partnership with foreign power.
Also for your enlightenment, India has good relationship with Bangladesh which is visible in India providing aid to it and Bangladesh helping capturing insurgents of India. (This year itself, all the border issues got resolved with Bangladesh) Also INDIA is already building port in Bangladesh as well as in Burma (not so much highlighted though).
Not to forget, building port and using them against other nation is absolutely different thing. Do you really think, Chinese limited stationed navy can secure these ports from India’s firepower in case of war in India backyard? and do you thing Bangladesh or Srilanka would allow Indo-China war to be fought on their hard earned port and drag their country into unwanted war? What will happen to Bangadesh or Srilanka after the war? Will India sit deal and not teach a lesson to them for supporting China against India without any hostility?
Creating ports is exciting but thinking of using them for war is not so exciting, specially if they are so near.
India can destroy these ports in hours if they get involved in war. Defence analyst knew this if not the ordinary people like you.
dgupta
India has fought wars or has border disputes with almost all its neighbours. This alone proves that India is an aggressive country who doesn’t want to settle border issues peacefully.
Sravan
India currently borders Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, Burma, Nepal on land and Sri Lanka, Maldives by sea. India fought wars with Pakistan and China alone in its history and in all wars India was only a defender and also never striked first and in no war was there a case of India occupying other country’s lands.
Imon
I am from Bangladesh.
I am bit confused–what sort of aid are your talking about?? The loans you mean–well those are still talk-talk. There are approximately 100 projects that are to be started with those monies, but they are all related to developing road for transit.
Something about border eh…do you ever read newspaper?? I mean not your , but the news paper of our country (i.e. Bangladesh) , where everyday we can read some unarmed civilian being shot in the border just because he in there at the wrong time prescribed by you.lol…You are lucky we are not so hot headed like you–except one incident where 16 BSF jawans were shot dead in border clash. You are lucky we are still extending our hand of friendship to you. The day we will withdraw it–mark this comment yaar–will be the worse day in your history.
parth
worst day of our history!!!would you explain how? If India turns hostile to bangladesh , will there be any respite for bangladesh..as the world politics go, usa and russia don’t give it a shit..china won’t pick a fight with its sole asian competitor and pak, they would be too happy with that..For bangladesh, they never have been great warriors nor do they have capablities to fight India or economically strangle her while the vice versa is a truth..I believed India-bangladesh enjoy sound relations but empty minded bangladeshis views prove it futile..just shouting doesn’t change realities
Girish
Also, we do not know what do you mean when you say “Neville Maxwell” is banned in India. Neither its publications are banned nor there is anything like great government firewall in India for internet blocking.
Also what “Neville Mazwell” wrote was correct or not, no one can judge. There are many writer with their own theory about that war.
What I am sure about is, India lost in 62 war and it was humiliating for us. Lesson were taken from it and plans have been made to ensure it never happen again.
Siddharth
I bought it yesterday only from an Indian online store.
Mazo
None of India’s neighbors have made similar requests ? Says who ??
Mauritius has made numerous requests. The Sri Lankans asked India FIRST to build a port and as for Bangladesh, the Indian Navy would have little use of berthing facilities there!
India does not need port facilities or naval bases in the region. India has perfect geo-strategic positioning in the Indian ocean. India needs bases only in the periphery of the Indian ocean!
As for China, tell us which of China’s neighbors have asked for China to set up bases ?? ZERO! How many of China’s neighbors see China as a friend ? North Korea is perhaps the only one.
Unlike China, India has only had military conflicts with Pakistan and once with China. While the Chinese have attacked Tibet, India, Vietnam, Korea and waged a proxy war against the Soviet Union.
If you want an unbiased view, ask China’s neighbors not some self-advertised “expert”.
dgupta
Mazo, China has settled border issues with all its neighbours except india. This proves that China is willing to make peace with its neighbours. Look at india, it has fought wars, or has border disputes with almost all of its neighbours. Facts is more convincing than whatever you said.
Siddharth
China never fought wars!! LOL
Bharateeya
Neville Maxwell and his works are NOT banned in India. Rather, the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report(a report that was compiled by two Military officers of the Indian Army) has not been released by the Government for three reasons. Firstly, IT NEED NOT BE RELEASED!! Are there no classified reports in other countries?? Secondly, It might further damage Sino-Indian relations, given some sensitive and damning details of actions on either side. Third, it supposedly paints Nehru in poor light, something that the ruling Congress Party doesn’t wish to see…
And secondly, Sri lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Burma do not have Indian military ports because they are NOT NEEDED by India. Our own ports are enough to meet the operational requirements of our Armed Forces. A game-changer would be Indian ports in either Vietnam, Indonesia or the Phillipines. But that’s highly unlikely in the near future.
John Chan
“Sri lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh or Burma do not have Indian military ports because they are NOT NEEDED by India.” sounds a sour grape to me. India even sends navy to check out a rumour of China base in Seychelles that is so far out of the way of India; “NOT NEEDED” is a white wash to cover the rejection of India by its surrounding nations.
Girish
@John Chan
When we are talking about ports, it not necessarily have to me military port. Just for your enlightenment, China neither making military port in Srilanka or Bangladesh. They all are funding by China for promotion of infrastructure (and perhaps construction companies are Chinese too) But they are “not military ports”.
It is only concluded that since China is building them, they might get some military pressense on these point and this is what a point of worry.
India do not need military ports in Bangladesh or Burma. But they are funding building commercial ports just like China. Any port in Srilanka, Bangladesh or Burma if used against India at the time of war will surely face sever consequences and that is the reason host counties will never allow it to happen.
Kristal
No Country builds a military base right next to its homeland. India has enough ports & berthing facilities in its own soil & therfore does not seek presence in its neighbouring countries based on simple common sense! Western nations base their forces abroad so that they can cut the ‘reaction Time’ to deal with emergencies or Force projection or even expedetionary missions. India has a Tri-services command in its Andaman & nicobar chain of islands on its eastern seaboard. Its navy is building a naval base on its Lakshadweep chain of islands on its eastern seaboard to augment its already existing coast guard station. With so many geographical advantages & with indias natural boundaries itself jutting into the indian ocean, it doesn’t make sense to build bases hardly a couple of kilometers away in a neighbouring nation!!
Rgarding the claim that India’s distant neighbours not offering any bases to it, chew this.
India posted its first ever Defence attache abroad at its maldives embassy! In April 2006, india gifted the Maldives coast guard a fast attack craft, followed by an indegenously built helicopter, the Dhruv. Maldives has allowed India to build a chain of radar stations on its island chains & the feeds from it have been linked to India’s mainland radar controls!
similarly, India has provided Mauritius with a fast attack ship MNS Amar way back in 1974 itself! Indian naval ships regularly visit Mauritius too. India has supplied the INDRA series radrs to Sri Lanks in addition to several ELINIT & SIGNINT capabilities & other non-lethal weaponry during the island nations fight against the LTTE.
India has setup listening stations in Mozambique & Madagascar for enhanced surveillance of the indian ocean. India also has berthing rights in vietnam & Oman. India also held the regions first “Indian ocean Naval Symposium” IONS to integrate the navies of all the littoral states of the IOR.
I’ve always wondered why John Chan hates india so much! (If your comments are any indication) There is so much in common between both the countries, a common history of subjucation by the colonial powers. Our (India & china)fights would only serve to improve the prospects of the Western & Russian arms companies!!! No offense….
Bharateeya
@John Chan: Suit yourself mate…China doesn’t have bases in Japan, S.Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam or Philippines. Is it because these nations have ‘rejected’ China, or is it because Chinese bases are adequate to meet the needs of the PLAN in that region? My reasoning lies in your answer :)
Sarwar M.
Has Bangladesh really given its contract of Chittagong port to China?
JaiHind
China can’t be trusted at anytime bcoz it did a war against INDIA Without any reason in 1962.
The_Observer
Actually it was Nehru’s Forward Policy that caused the war in 1962. Only after ignoring several warnings from Chou-En-Lai about incursions into Chinese territory did the Chinese take action. And after 50 years the Indian government still has the Henderson Brooks report about the war classified.
Dominion
Why the base is a thread to India Navy?
India is in Asia and Seychelles belongs to Africa?
Can’t the Indian Navy coorporates with China?
Kane
Because None of China’s neighbors and the West don’t trust China. Just have a glance at Japan, S.Korea and Vietnam.
Dominion
Those countries are neighbour of China and with disputed waters.
Seychelles is a neighbour of India or China. The West don’t trust India either.
EAM
I wonder whether this a response in part to the US going into Darwin.
richard anson
I think its because of the chinese blue water base in Hawaii………in 2030?
Yang zi
A base in Seychelles is not defendable for PLAN, China is serious when it said it is just a supply spot for anti piracy patrols. Indian reaction is out of proportion. To avoid Indian sensitivities, China even ignored the invitation from Pakistan to set up a military base. A base in Pakistan is much more secure.
I think China’s interest in Inian ocean is non warfare deployment. China is still sticking to the active coastal defense for now.
John Chan
The author must claiming Indian Ocean as India’s Ocean. The author treats that anybody parking ships in the Indian Ocean as violating India’s rules and laws, so that India has to send navy to intercept and blockade like traffic cops.
Where has USA gone? Is USA shedding its responsibility to maintain the free and safe seaway passage of the world? Or is USA scared of the superpower to be of the 21st century and keeping a low profile?
SupraMan
The Indians aren’t that delusional. It is only the Chinese government that thinks that way. Just because it is called the South China Sea doesn’t mean it is part of China.
John Chan
China just claims the islands within the nine-dotted line in the SCS as its territory, other than that the water in the SCS is international water. It is no different from India claiming Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Japan claiming RyuKyu Islands, USA claiming Guam, etc.
a_canadian_observer
@John Chan: Only one problem: china doesn’t own those islands, nor will it want to prove that it owns them (because it cannot).
A.K.
India is not claiming Andman and Nikobar Islands as it's part, it is as simple as China does not claim Shanghai as it's part …. India has it's administration-people and defense establishment over there …
The_Observer
If the USA has use of British Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, bases in Japan, S. Korea and now Australia, and India can use Vietnamese ports in the S. China Sea, why can’t China use the ports in the Seychelles?
yang zi
Of course has rights to establish military base in Indian ocean. It just that China doesn’t see need. It also doesn’t believe the logic of having overseas bases. It might in the future, but not now.
SCdad07s
“Only I (western & proxies) can have but not you.”
More China bashing is to be expected in US 2012 election year.