China’s Malacca Dilemma: Power Politics in Indian Ocean

Abstract

With the opening of doors for the world, China has shivered the world state actors and also those that are inactive prior to China‟s open door policy. China‟s initiated reforms have adverse effects on the relations with neighboring states and other regional states. China‟s reliance over energy resources has put China under security threat of Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs). For this purpose, China introduced geopolitical strategy String of Pearls Strategy. This paper is based on descriptive analysis to analyze true intensions of China behind String of Pearls Strategy. Which highlights China‟s intensions is not to establish military ground but purely mercantile and not to threaten India. China‟s economic growth is highly dependent upon oil shipments and energy transit routes. Malacca dilemma is referred to String of Pearls Strategy to secure important choke points of Indian Ocean and to make diplomatic relations with the key countries of Indian Ocean littoral states that are Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. In future, there are assumptions about Sino-Indian alliance formation if China becomes successful to implement String of Pearls Strategy. Power struggle between India and China will be continue in future in which US will be a key factor to maintain her status-quo.