1700Hrs | New Delhi
MOSCOW (Sputnik) Tommy Yang – Amid growing rivalry between Beijing and New Delhi in the Indian Ocean, China is not likely to overtake India in naval strength in the region in the next two-three decades, despite increasing presence of the Chinese navy and planned new Chinese naval bases, experts told Sputnik.
China first revealed its plan to build its first overseas naval base in Djibouti in 2016. As a focal point of the Belt and Road Initiative, championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping to boost the nation’s global influence, Pakistan’s ports on the Indian Ocean are widely expected to host a new Chinese military base in the near future.
In response, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured access to naval facilities in Oman during an official visit last month. Earlier this year, India reached an agreement with Seychelles to build military infrastructure on the Assumption Island.
Geographical Advantage
As India and China both strive to boost their naval presence and strength in the Indian Ocean. New Delhi s likely to continue to enter an edge over Beijing in the region thanks to is geographical proximity, military experts told Sputnik.