SINO-INDIAN RIVALRY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN & ITS MARITIME SECURITY IMPLICATIONS ON PAKISTAN

Abstract
The topic of this research work is “Sino-Indian Rivalry in Indian Ocean & its Maritime Security Implications on Pakistan: A Realist Perspective (2015-2020)”. This study has two parts: one relates to the geopolitics and strategic significance of Indian Ocean. This part has been looked from the lens of the Nicholas J. Spykman’s ‘Rimland theory’. In this regard, it argues that Indian Ocean is located at the heart of the ‘rimland’, and has gained the central attention in the 21st century global politics famously known as ‘naval century’ and ‘Asian century’. The other part pertains to the behavior of various regional and extra-regional states in Indian Ocean, which has been analyzed from the prism of the ‘broader framework of realism’. It is qualitative research, and has employed the ‘documentary analyses,’. China’s ‘tactics’ in Indian Ocean are part of its broader regional and global strategy, and systematic attempt to inch towards realization of its Two-centenary goals. China considers the United States as its primary threat and its actions in Indian Ocean are a challenge to the regional order spearheaded by the US. The US, on the other hand, is attempting to contain the rising hegemon, and has made India its strategic partner. India considers Indian Ocean its strategic backyard, and aims at countering the growing China’s footprints. This developing scenario has serious implications for Pakistan’s maritime security, as it is a major Indian Ocean littoral state as well as a nodal link in China’s BRI.
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