COLOMBO : The power struggle between China and the United States, as well as their allies, has created a volatile situation in the Indian Ocean region. To secure their interests, both sides are aggressively pursuing military presence near strategic chokepoints, putting immense pressure on smaller nations in the area. These nations are forced to tread carefully, and their actions are closely monitored by the major powers in the region.

The Indian security establishment and media's response to reports of Chinese-funded and operated "radar stations" in Myanmar and Sri Lanka is a clear example of the growing concerns about China's expansionist agenda in the region.

Maxar Technologies, a company with close ties to the US government, released satellite images in January 2023 that revealed the resumption of construction activities on Myanmar's Great Coco Island. The images depicted the construction of two new hangars, a new accommodation block, and cleared land for further construction, which has raised suspicions about China's intentions.

In a report for Chatham House, Damien Symon and John Pollock highlighted India's long-standing apprehension that China could use Myanmar to spy on its navy in the context of Great Coco. The authors noted that conspiracy theories have dominated discussions around the Coco Island chain, with any move by Myanmar to bolster its military presence seen as having a Chinese hand behind it.

The Indian media, citing "intelligence sources," has raised concerns about China's plans to establish a radar station in Sri Lanka's southern region, further fueling suspicions about China's aggressive expansionist agenda in the Indian Ocean. The proposed radar station has the potential to monitor not only the activities of the Indian Navy but also critical strategic assets in southern India, such as the Kudankulam and Kalpakkam nuclear power plants.

The Kudankulam and Kalpakkam plants are major sources of India's nuclear energy and the potential of their disruption due to any hostile action poses a serious threat to India's energy security. Moreover, the radar station could also track the activities of the US military base at Diego Garcia, which is a vital asset for the US in the region.

China's increasing presence in Sri Lanka and Myanmar has long been a source of speculation and controversy, with India viewing them as a crucial part of China's strategy to undermine its influence in the region. These actions by China only serve to heighten regional tensions and threaten the stability of the Indian Ocean region.

Furthermore, there is little understanding of the Myanmar junta's strategic intentions beyond their apparent fear of foreign military intervention to restore democracy and their overall sense of insecurity.

The wrong message has been sent to the global order. If China has nothing to hide, then why can’t the publicly disclose its relationship with Myanmar and Sri Lanka? India has every right to defend itself against China's perceived treachery.

The international community should condemn any attempts by China to use smaller nations in the region for its own gain. The situation in the Indian Ocean region is already precarious, and any further escalation could have serious implications for regional stability.