New Delhi, March 17 A parliamentary panel has expressed concern over the "strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus," and recommended that India remain "proactive" in countering the combined threat by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and deepening its strategic alliances with partners.
The Committee on External Affairs, in its report presented in Parliament on Tuesday, urged the government to "enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA)" through further integration of advanced technologies, such as satellite-based surveillance systems and artificial intelligence, to monitor Chinese activities "more effectively".
The panel is headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
In the report – Action Taken by the Government on the observations/ recommendations contained in the Eighth Report on the subject 'Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy' – the committee has acknowledged the paramount strategic, economic, and environmental significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) for India.
"With a coastline of over 7,500 kilometres, coupled with its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.4 million square kilometres, India is uniquely positioned at the heart of one of the most vital regions in the world.
"Nearly 90 per cent of India's trade by volume, including oil imports, transits through the Indian Ocean, which also handles half of the world's container shipments. Thus, the Indian Ocean is not only critical for India's economic stability but also serves as a bridge for global trade between Asia, Africa, and the Middle East," the panel said.
Given this geo-strategic importance, the committee said India's leadership role in the IOR is both a natural and necessary extension of its geopolitical and economic interests, and thereby, it should take a "leading role" in ensuring the security, stability, and prosperity of the region.
In the report, the panel expressed concern about the "escalating Chinese presence" and its "increasing influence" in the IOR, and pointed out that the development "poses substantial risks to India's national security and broader strategic interests".
The committee recognised 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.
Of 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," it said.
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.
"Concerned to note the continued strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus, the committee had expressed the view that India must remain proactive in countering the combined naval threat by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and conducting joint exercises with partner countries to maintain strategic balance," the report said.
The panel said the induction of advanced warships, including multiple Carrier Battle Groups and an additional aircraft carrier, along with the regular deployment of Chinese submarines and naval vessels, demonstrates a "clear and growing strategic interest" by China in consolidating its position in the IOR.
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 said.
The panel said 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.
This should be complemented by a significant upgrade in naval capabilities, including the induction of advanced anti-submarine warfare vessels, surveillance aircraft, and nuclear-powered submarines, "ensuring India's readiness to respond to any emerging threat", it said.
"India should also deepen its strategic alliances with regional powers and global partners, particularly through forums such as the Quad, to ensure collective security and strengthen deterrence. Building closer ties with IOR littoral states through defence cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and joint maritime operations will be crucial in countering Chinese influence," it said.
The panel also recommended creation of a "comprehensive Inter-Ministerial Task Force", involving key ministries, such as external affairs, defence, commerce, environment, shipping, finance, and home affairs, among others, citing the multifaceted nature of the strategy, which encompasses defence, trade, maritime security, diplomacy, environmental sustainability, and development assistance.
It said such a task force is imperative for addressing the "existing gaps" in coordination between ministries and agencies.