China has a long-standing "string of pearls" plan that involves building ports and other facilities in several Middle Eastern and Asian nations. The goal of this project, which is currently called the Maritime Silk Road, is to increase China's dominance and influence over nearby maritime regions. Many countries are concerned about China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean region.India has taken major steps to protect its interests in the region and to counter China's increasing maritime might. Investing in foreign ports, with an emphasis on Sri Lanka in particular, has proven to be a crucial strategy. Realizing that Sri Lanka was facing financial difficulties as a result of Chinese investments, India intervened and supplied all of the funds required for the Kankesanturai Port redevelopment. Additionally, India made a calculated strategic alliance with a Russian business to obtain management rights for Hambantota, Sri Lanka's Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. This action gives India command over the port of Hambantota, creating barriers to China's navy's establishment of a sizable facility there.
Beyond Sri Lanka, India is investing in international ports. An important agreement to expand the Colombo West International Container Terminal (CWICT) in Sri Lanka with an investment over $700 million was recently inked by the Indian company Adani Group. Additionally, the Adani Group intends to set aside money to build a deep port in the Philippine province of Bataan with the goal of building a port big enough to handle ships of a certain size. India is making these efforts to strengthen its position and offset China's growing influence in the area.
