Modi to counter China in Indian Ocean

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to offer wide-ranging military and civilian assistance to Indian Ocean island states in a bid to wrest back some influence China has gained in those nations in recent years

1. Sri Lanka: Modi expected to tighten defence cooperation and push for final approval for 500 MW power plant to be built by Indian state-run energy firm in strategic port of Trincomalee 

New President Maithripala Sirisena is reviewing infrastructure contracts previous government awarded to China, including $1.5bn port city project in Colombo. China is

Sri Lanka’s top investor, biggest government lender and second-biggest trading partner

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Main oil shipping lane

Persian Gulf

Arabian Sea
Bay of Bengal
South China Sea
Agalega Islands

SEYCHELLES 
SRI LANKA
MALDIVES
MAURITIUS
INDIA
CHINA
INDIAN OCEAN
PAKISTAN
BANGLADESH
MYANMAR
AUSTRALIA

Indian Naval bases

“String of pearls”: Ports built by China to exert control over trade routes in Indian Ocean

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310 miles
500km
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2. Maldives: Requires surveillance assistance against piracy and threat from Islamic State supporters 

China is upgrading international airport after authorities cancelled deal with Indian firm in 2012

3, Seychelles: India expected to sign agreement on mapping waters around archipelago

China views Seychelles as potential resupply port for anti-piracy shipping

Mauritius: Modi to commission 1,300-tonne Indian-built patrol vessel MCGS Barracuda. Future sales will include 13 fast attack ships currently under construction in India

New Delhi wants Mauritius to grant use of remote Agalega Islands to improve India’s air surveillance capabilities in Indian Ocean region

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Sources: Wire agencies, Global Security