The recent assembly of naval officials from around the globe in China’s Qingdao, hosted by the Chinese Navy, is an emblematic event that reveals the intricacies of diplomacy and power in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
Although India continues to be active in the Indian Ocean Region, it spends far too little on its navy compared to its peers and competitors.
India's participation in the mega maritime show in China is being considered a major confidence-building measure to improve the relationship between the two neighbours.
Alarm bells actually starting ringing with construction activities in Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Gwadar on the Makran Coast in Pakistan. The Chinese have since extended their reach to a base in the Red Sea.
