Of “equal concern” is the “strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus”, which not solely facilitates joint army workouts, but additionally “advances Pakistan’s naval modernisation”, the committee stated in its report on “Evaluation of India’s Indian Ocean Strategy” that was introduced in Parliament on Monday (August 12, 2025).
The committee stated it believes that “these developments must be addressed with urgency, as they have the potential to shift the balance of power in the region, challenging India’s strategic autonomy and undermining its influence over key maritime chokepoints”.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly recognized three challenges within the IOR— geopolitical, maritime safety threats and infrastructure and connectivity gaps.
The committee enquired in regards to the “strategic challenges” confronted by India within the IOR.
“In a written reply, the Ministry stated that strategic challenges for India in the IOR include threats to maritime traffic, piracy, terrorism, concerns about freedom of navigation and overflights, and concerns about safeguarding sovereignty and independence,” the report stated.
Another problem is the “growing presence of extra-regional players” within the area, particularly “China gaining a foothold” within the IOR, it added.
“China has been undertaking several infrastructure projects focusing on ports, airports and the logistics sector for dual-use purposes, in addition to deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data of the region,” the panel stated within the report.
It expressed “concern regarding the escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence in the Indian Ocean Region, a development which poses substantial risks to India’s national security and broader strategic interests”.
The committee additional stated it recognises that China’s enhanced naval capabilities, exemplified by the “growing size of its fleet, including over 15 units commissioned annually, have now surpassed the United States Navy, making it the world’s largest naval force”.
The induction of superior warships, together with “multiple Carrier Battle Groups and an additional aircraft carrier”, together with the common deployment of Chinese submarines and naval vessels, demonstrates a “clear and growing strategic interest by China in consolidating its position in the IOR”, the panel stated.
“The strategic positioning of Chinese military and commercial infrastructure across key maritime chokepoints, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the ‘String of Pearls’ strategy, is gradually reconfiguring the region’s geopolitical dynamics in favour of Chinese interests,” it stated.
The committee stated, “Equal concern is the strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus, which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also advances Pakistan’s naval modernisation”.
“This cooperation complicates the security situation further, particularly in the context of the increasing Chinese influence over Pakistan’s naval assets, which could destabilise the balance of power in the region,” it flagged.
In the thought of view of the committee, “India must remain proactive in countering the combined naval threat from China and Pakistan by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and conducting joint exercises with partner countries to maintain strategic balance.” The panel urged the federal government to boost maritime area consciousness (MDA) by means of additional integration of superior applied sciences, resembling satellite-based surveillance methods and synthetic intelligence, to “monitor Chinese activities more effectively”.
This must be complemented by a “significant upgradation” in naval capabilities, together with the induction of “advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessels, surveillance aircraft, and nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring India’s readiness to respond to any emerging threat”, the panel underlined in its report.
India must also “deepen its strategic alliances” with regional powers and international companions to strengthen deterrence, it stated.
“Building closer ties with IOR littoral states through defence cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and joint maritime operations will be crucial in countering Chinese influence,” the panel stated.
The Defence Ministry has informed it that two Chinese Carrier Battle Groups are operational and a 3rd and rather more potent Aircraft Carrier Fujian is at “an advanced stage of pre-commissioning trial”.
In 2024, People’s Liberation Army (Navy) ships have made “22 port calls in IOR countries” and undertaken army workouts with IOR littorals.
“Pakistan Navy is also undergoing a major capability development programme with the induction of four Type 054 A/P frigates from China, four MILGEM Class Corvettes from Turkiye, and eight Hangor (Yuan Class Air Independent Propulsion Capable submarines from China, state-of-the-art aircraft and unmanned assets, among others,” the report says.
It stated that from a maritime safety standpoint, “India regards the BRI and the String of Pearls strategy as attempts to reshape the strategic geography by diluting India’s maritime influence in the IOR and altering it in China’s favour”.
