The Importance of Diego Garcia to US Strategy in the Indian Ocean

 The Foreign Policy Research Institute published on 21 April 2025 an analysis titled "How the UK-Mauritius Deal on Chagos Could Reshape US Military Strategy in the Indian Ocean" by Raghvendra Kumar.  

Diego Garcia hosts a joint Anglo-American military base with a deepwater port capable of berthing aircraft carriers, a long runway that enables deep-strike operations and accommodates heavy bombers and refueling aircraft, advanced satellite communication facilities, and strategically pre-positioned military support and supplies.

The Diego Garcia base, which most recently has been used to launch airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, remains critical to US military strategy in the Indian Ocean.  It provides the strategic depth necessary to deter aggression, defend US interests, restore freedom of navigation, and secure vital sea lines of communication.   It takes on added importance as China expands its military footprint in the Indian Ocean region.  

China's Reaction to Increased Indian Navy Patrols in Western Indian Ocean

 The Diplomat published on 10 February 2024 a commentary titled "What Does China Think About India's Increased Anti-Piracy Patrols Amid the Red Sea Crisis?" by Andrew Orchard, US Navy officer.

Ten or more Indian Navy ships with reconnaissance aircraft now patrol the western Indian Ocean.  Between $235-240 billion worth of India's annual trade passes through the Red Sea.  While Chinese experts understand the importance of Indian Ocean SLOCs to New Delhi, they are skeptical of New Delhi's intentions and see the increased Indian naval presence as an effort to control this region.

Indian Navy Patrols in Western Indian Ocean Raise Concerns in Beijing

 The Diplomat published on 10 February 2024 a commentary titled "What Does China Think About India's Increased Anti-Piracy Patrols Amid the Red Sea Crisis?" by Andrew Orchard, US Navy officer.

Ten or more Indian Navy ships with reconnaissance aircraft now patrol the Western Indian Ocean.  Chinese maritime experts are expressing skepticism about New Delhi's intentions.  

China Maps Indian Ocean for Submarine Warfare

 The Washington Post published on 10 January 2024 an article titled "Chinese PLA-linked Vessels Map the Indian Ocean for Submarine Warfare" by Cate Cadell.

The Indian Ocean is critical to China's strategic and economic interests, as well as its geopolitical rivalry with India.  Consequently, the Indian Ocean is fast becoming one of the biggest domains for Chinese oceanic surveys, which are ostensibly civilian in nature but tied to the People's Liberation Army and Beijing's military-civil fusion program -- a national strategic plan to advance China's military by acquiring technology and research from civilian groups.

China's Indian Ocean Vulnerability in Wartime Scenario

 Reuters published on 13 December 2023 an analysis titled "Why the Indian Ocean Could Be China's Achilles' Heel in a Taiwan War" by Greg Torode.  

China has little power projection capability in the Indian Ocean, especially compared to the United States.  Much of its crude oil, gas, and mineral imports cross the Indian Ocean.  In a wartime situation, China would be hard pressed to keep open these sea lines of communication (SLOCs).  

China Uses Interests in Foreign Ports for Surveillance and Intelligence Collection

 Foreign Policy published on 20 September 2023 a commentary titled "How China Uses Shipping for Surveillance and Control" by Elaine Dezenski and David Rader, both with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.  

The Chinese government has spent the past three decades trying to gain access and influence in the open seas, strategic shipping lanes, and foreign ports around the globe.  China owns, co-owns, or operates some 96 foreign ports.  China has introduced massive and little-understood information gathering infrastructure at critical ports worldwide.  Chinese laws require that all Chinese companies operating overseas--both private and state-owned--gather and report intelligence on foreign entities to the Chinese government. 

Chinese commercial ports routinely host Chinese military vessels and could act as critical resupply points or repair facilities during a conflict.  To this end, China is increasingly pursuing civilian-military interoperability in maritime infrastructure and other domains.  

Extending China's Military Power into Indian Ocean

 The New York Times published on 7 September 2023 a commentary titled "China's Military Is Going Global" by Craig Singleton, China analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington.

China is establishing "strategic strong points" along its major trade, energy, and resource routes, especially those that run from China through the Malacca Strait and into the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.  

China's Pursuit of Food and Energy Security in the Indian Ocean

 The Stockholm-based Institute for Security & Development Policy published an issue brief on 30 June 2023 titled "China's Pursuit of Food and Energy Security in the Indian Ocean: Consequences for India's Development" by Neeraj Singh Manhas and Jay Maniyar.

China and India have given a high priority to achieving food and energy security.  China's engagement in the Indian Ocean is designed to have a strong foothold in the region and to fulfill its domestic demands for energy, food, raw materials, minerals, crude oil, and other essential commodities.

This issue brief, written from an Indian perspective, discusses whether a relentless pursuit of food and energy security in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions by China will be a cause of concern for New Delhi and how it poses a strategic hindrance to the national and maritime security of India.  

China's Indian Ocean Strategy

 The South Asia Journal published on 6 May 2023 an analysis titled "China's Strategic Objectives and Capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region" by Komal Khan, Strategic Vision Institute in Islamabad.

The author argues that China is focusing on exerting influence, mitigating its vulnerabilities, and securing its maritime trade in the Indian Ocean region.  To do so, Beijing has enhanced its economic and naval cooperation with Indian Ocean regional states by investing in new ports and pursuing long-term leases to ports in friendly countries along strategic waterways.  

China's Concerns Over Indian Ocean Choke Points

 The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs published on 22 March 2023 an analysis titled "China's Economic Security Challenge: Difficulties Overcoming the Malacca Dilemma" by Lucas Myers, Wilson Center's Asia Program.

Ninety percent of China's trade and 80 percent of its oil travels by sea.  During time of war, China fears a possible blockade of the sea lines of communication (SLOCs) through the Indian Ocean choke points of the Suez Canal/Red Sea and Strait of Malacca.  Mitigating this dilemma is an increasingly important element of China's naval strategy.