Vijay Sakhuya: China may help develop India’s own maritime infrastructure

Oct. 9, 2014 - PRLog -- India must not neglect the opportunity to take part in the creation of the Chinese “Maritime Silk Road” (MSR) project, suggests Vijay Sakhuya, Director of National Maritime Foundation, in his article “Maritime Silk Road: Can India Leverage It?” published in the foreign media.

As the author remarks, Beijing is currently actively approaching several of India’s neighbors, offering technical assistance, investment and maritime support.

In the expert’s opinion, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have already received invitations to participate in the project of “The 21st Century’s Silk Road.”

“Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen to participate in the 21st Century MSR, expand cooperation in tourism, trade and infrastructure, and enhance maritime cooperation. Apparently Yameen assured Xi that his country would ‘respond to the Chinese initiative.’ Ali Hameed, former vice foreign minister of the Maldives, too had stated that the MSR was of interest to the Maldives,” Vijay Sakhuya explains.

However, as the author emphasizes, while the officials of the Maldives and Sri Lanka met China’s invitation with curiosity, the Indian strategic community was alarmed by Beijing’s initiative.

“A number of articles, commentaries, op eds, discussions and sound bites have concluded that the MSR is nothing but a Chinese ploy to get a naval ‘foothold’ in the Indian Ocean and reflects China’s creeping influence in the region,” he writes.

At the same time, the analyst thinks that such reaction is purely natural, especially if one takes into account China’s energetic and aggressive determination to make its maritime plans come to fruition.

“[These countries] are seen as bases/facilities to support People’s Liberation Army Navy’s future operations in the Indian Ocean and also the Chinese attempt to ‘encircle’ India,” Vijay Sakhuya notes.

Dwelling on this point, he recommends the readers to approach the situation from a different angle and view China as a potential ally and not as a possible adversary.

As the analyst stresses, China is reaping the results of its own highly effective economy concept which is thriving thanks to its long coastline.

“Nearly 40% of the Chinese population, 5% of cities, 70% of GDP, 84% of direct foreign investment and export products are generated within 200 km of coast,” elaborates Vijay Sakhuya. He also points out that according to the China Ocean Information Center, China’s maritime output in 2013 grew up to 5.43 trillion Yuan, which is almost 10% of the state’s economy.

“The coastal provinces have contributed substantially to the overall national strength in terms of economic growth and play an important role in developing an export-oriented economy,” the expert stresses.

In his opinion, India may be highly interested in China’s shipbuilding industry: its main advantages are cheap labor and developed ancillary industry which employs first-class engineers.

“Seven of the top ten global container ports are in China and the Chinese shipping fleet of 6 427 vessels ranks second behind Japan with 8 357 ships,” the researcher explains.

In his opinion, Beijing has reached a success of no lesser proportions in tourism industry: the coastline provinces are dotted with marinas, water parks and beach resorts.

“China is leveraging these capabilities and offering to develop maritime infrastructure in friendly countries that are willing to accept the offer – which at times makes an attractive investment opportunity, and can help these exploit the seas to enhance economic growth, and ensure food and energy security,” the expert writes.

In his opinion, China’s results of great labor must become an example for India, a country which only begins transforming its military and civil sea fleet.

From Vijay Sakhuya’s point of view, New Delhi officials must conduct and thorough and honest re-evaluation of the state’s potential and make the necessary decisions to change the situation for the better.

“India needs to make major policy changes to develop maritime infrastructure, offshore resources and exploit these on a sustainable basis,” he elaborates.

According to the expert, Beijing may become the very partner that would allow the India officials to make these plans become a reality.

“India lacks maritime infrastructure and technology to exploit offshore marine organic, mineral and hydrocarbon resources that are critical to ensure sustained economic growth – which is high on the current government’s agenda. It would therefore be prudent to understand the MSR through the prism of an opportunity,” Vijay Sakhuya concludes.

Full text news agency "PenzaNews": http://penzanews.ru/en/opinion/56475-2014