The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is a wide geostrategic area comprising of the energy rich West Asia and the lively and diversified Asia. Along with China’s rapid militarization, its economic power has also gained an impetus. The countries in the IOR are of huge importance to China not only for its energy and raw material imports but also for their emerging markets which China can avail for achieving its economic growth and development. Gradually it was felt by China to protect the vital Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) and the International Shipping Lanes (ISL) which aids China to keep its economy growing. The String of Pearls describes the demonstration of China’s geopolitical influence in the region through the port construction, developing of the diplomatic channels and the modernization of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). However, the way in which the String of Pearls has evolved over the years reflects precariousness of whether China’s growing influence in the region is in line with Beijing’s claim of a peaceful rise or on the contrary outlines China’s futuristic vision of gaining the regional precedence. The numerous investments done by China in the IOR are claimed to be solely for economic purposes. However, the global powers feel that the possibility of China using these investments as naval base cannot be rejected. This complex game plan has its own implications for determining the relationship between India United States of America (USA) and China indicating a possibility of confrontation between the major powers in the region. The purpose of this paper is to understand the concept of the String of Pearls right from its evolution to China’s need for greater investments in the region. Standing at such an important juncture it is important to understand how the String of Pearls Strategy on one hand exhibits to be of a greater threat to India’s maritime environment in the IOR and on the other provides India with maritime advantages.
Hence it is necessary that India as well as China have a strong-minded leadership with a futuristic vision to gain the benefits of the strategic cooperation with like-minded nations to steer clear from hostile encounters.
Key words: String of Pearls, China, India, Indian Ocean Region (IOR), Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC), economic investments.
