Beijing/New Delhi1 hour ago
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China has demonstrated its strategic military prowess by testing a long-range ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine in the Pacific Ocean.
America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have described it as a matter of concern for regional stability. Experts believe that this is not just a matter of the Pacific region, but is a sign of China’s increasing military aggression in the Indo-Pacific, which can also have a direct impact on India’s security strategy.
In September 2024, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) rocket force tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Pacific Ocean (file photo).
According to defense experts, China’s new generation JL-3 submarine-based ballistic missile was probably used in the test. This missile is considered capable of carrying nuclear weapons and its strike capability is so much that targets thousands of kilometers away from China’s maritime zone can be hit. China is calling it a regular military exercise, but regional countries say that this will further intensify military competition in the Indo-Pacific.
concern for india
The biggest concern for India is China’s growing maritime presence. In the last few years, Chinese Navy submarines have been seen several times in the Indian Ocean. China’s activity on the military base in Djibouti, Gwadar Port in Pakistan and Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka is already a strategic challenge for New Delhi. If China deploys more modern and quieter nuclear submarines, both its military reach and influence in the Indian Ocean region could increase.
China’s presence in the Indian Ocean is continuously increasing
Until now, China’s focus was considered to be the South China Sea and Taiwan, but in the last few years its nuclear submarines have also been seen regularly in the Indian Ocean.
China’s military base in Djibouti, access to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port and influence on Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port are already strategic challenges for India.
If China’s new submarines become equipped with stealth and long-range missiles, they can target most of India even from the Indian Ocean.
Impact on India’s nuclear deterrent balance
India’s nuclear policy is based on Credible Minimum Deterrence and No First Use. If China rapidly increases its sea-based nuclear capability, India will also have to rapidly strengthen more nuclear submarines, long-range K-4 and K-5 missiles and maritime surveillance networks.
Challenge on two fronts
India is already facing China on the northern border and Pakistan on the western border. If China also increases its capability on the maritime front, India may have to increase military resources on all three fronts – land, air and sea.
Strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar will increase
Crest of the Andaman and Nicobar Command of the Indian Navy.
India’s Andaman and Nicobar Command monitors the Malacca Strait. As China’s submarine activities increase, apart from increasing maritime surveillance, India will have to further strengthen the capabilities of Anti-Submarine Warfare, drones and P-8I surveillance aircraft.
QUAD and Indo-Pacific partnership will strengthen
China’s increasing military activities may further strengthen QUAD cooperation between India, US, Japan and Australia. Maritime security, intelligence sharing and frequency of joint naval exercises may increase.
Why is China continuously increasing its military power?
According to experts, China is increasing pressure on Taiwan, wants to challenge America in the Pacific region, is strengthening its nuclear deterrence and wants to increase military influence in the Indo-Pacific. Along with this, China wants to change the global strategic balance in the future through sea-based nuclear power.
What is India doing?
Indian nuclear submarine INS Arighat (file).
India is already working on increasing its maritime power. The steps India is taking in this direction include development of nuclear submarines like INS Arihant and Arighat, K-15 and K-4 ballistic missile programmes, P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft, expansion of Andaman-Nicobar Command and joint naval exercises (Malabar) with the US, Japan and Australia under QUAD.
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