BURMA : Where Chinese and Indian Navies Meets
To the west, Burma is a backward nation, tyrannized by a military regime. But to China's military, the nation is an increasingly valuable strategic asset. The People's Liberation Army/Navy is gaining access to Burma's coast., and this isolated region will likely become a focal point for competition with the Indian Navy. Officials of the Indian military have recently held talks with their counterpart in Burma.
For more than a decade, Beijing has sought to develop ties with the government in Rangoon, supplying equipment and reportedly assisting in the the construction of naval base in Sittwe and several other locations. As well, press reports in the region claimed that the Chinese government is funding road construction including a route link Rangoon to Sittwe, providing the shortest route to the Indian Ocean from southern China.
China values Burma for one reason : its 1,930-Kilometer coastline bordering the Andaman sea. Access to this shoreline would give China to alternate outlet to the Indian Ocean. In the event of conflict, this would make it more difficult for an enemy to sever China's sea lines of communication.
But more importantly, the freedom to operate in ports like Sittwe would enable China to maintain a presence on both sides of Strait of Malacca, the major shipping route to Asia. Currently, China's navy is undergoing the first stage of a " green-water naval strategy”, which seeks to project force as far south as the contested Sprately islands. If its foothold in Burma were secured, China could exert pressure on western side as well.
But ties with Burma offer another prize: they facilitate the Chinese presence in rival India's territorial waters, not far from the major port city of Calcutta. Even the presence of the few Chinese patrol boats with missile capability diminishes the security of India's shipping routes. China could at least briefly interfere with shipping in the Straits. It is important to note, though, that in a straight-up conflict, India's navy – which includes naval aircraft and type 209 submarine – would likely prevail.
India has watched China's creeping influence for years and is reinforcing its own ties to Burma. Last April, the Indian navy established a new Far Eastern Naval Command (FENC) based on the southern tip of Andaman island. It is likely a direct response to China's increased influence. Just south of Rangoon, the island is a key asset for the Indian navy.
In January, New Delhi sent both military and ministerial delegations for talks with Burma. And there appears to be sense of urgency in official Indian sentiments. The New Delhi daily, The Hindu, claimed that the government would "resent” increased presence of foreign forces.
India's anxiety is not misplaced. And for the moment, Beijing's foothold in Burma seems fairly secure. It remains the most generous supporter of Rangoon's ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), a military junta that the west continues to spurn. And while Japan – with its own concerns about China's growing influence—has also expressed interest in helping Burma, it has joined the West in pressuring the SPDC's political agenda. Whatever enticement Japan may offer to sway Rangoon's position, they'll likely find it difficult to outdo China's many years of courtship.
As Asian nations intensify their attempt to define their regional position, Burma's importance will increase - as will China's effort to exploit it. Meanwhile, India will likely continue the diplomatic efforts, but continue its new approach, slowly fortifying its own naval presence at Andaman sea.