India’s Understanding of and Response to China’s Entry into the Indian Ocean

　　ABSTRACT: In order to protect its interests in the Indian Ocean, China must establish and gradually expand its activities in the region. This has raised suspicions and concerns on the part of India. While it recognizes that China’s present long range delivery capability in the Indian Ocean is weak, India is nonetheless worried about China’s intentions in the region, its continued development of relations with island nations in the Indian Ocean, China’s naval missions into Somali waters and its anti-piracy missions. India fears that all of these activities are targeted at it. In order to prevent and counter China, India has adopted a series of measures: rapid development of its navy; enhancement of relations with island states in the Indian Ocean; enhancement of relations with the United States; implementation of the “Look East” Policy; and continuous entry into the Western Pacific and the South China Seas. As India lacks understanding of China’s intentions and its capacity, it has taken unilateral actions which not only fail to resolve the “security dilemma” faced in the Indian Ocean, but which will further complicate Sino-Indian relations.