China-India Naval Arms Race News & Analysis

Geopolitics Weekly (Afghan Earthquake, US Drones, India Military Modernization)

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This week we cover a new prime minister’s entry into the fray of Thai politics, President Trump making moves to expand the global market for US drone sales, geopolitical risks associated with a recent earthquake in Afghanistan, and India’s ambitious new military modernization program.

India’s INS Arighaat: A Credible Deterrence?

A starboard bow view of the Soviet-built Indian Charlie I class cruise missile submarine ISN CHAKRA underway. Exact Date Shot Unknown - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=INS%20Chakra&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1&ns100=1&ns106=1#/media/File:A_starboard_bow_view_of_the_Soviet-built_Indian_Charlie_I_class_cruise_missile_submarine_ISN_CHAKRA_underway._Exact_Date_Shot_Unknown_-_DPLA_-_5ede145c49f8f0581188d211245ce8b1.jpeg

The INS Arighaat, the Indian Navy’s latest nuclear submarine, is a step toward creating a credible multifaceted nuclear deterrence, but there’s still work to do.

Japan’s Indian Ocean Dilemma

Malabar Exercises 2020, cc Official U.S. Navy Page, modified, https://flickr.com/photos/usnavy/50613870887/in/photolist-2k7zjsk-64j3Cd-64eNpD-59bALQ-64eN3T-ARNyiP-oxwxXM-oxLFLA-ZmaDKh-54eHnK-ogiyf1-2kndKjW-ogiRNr-ozyekx-8TtmWm-2iKkxyx-8Ttmv5-8TtkUW-2iGTW4h-54iWDw-29M8fHk-54eHe8-64eNet-21wpDHB-Dj2ngQ-2jHvyG3-2jHqyQ9-2mcjEbg-2mYqAz2-2josuq2-54iWGy-29Saho6-54iX3L-ogjwr6-26tuPCJ-nHWEH3-bAYXZ2-nrtY6z-2iF7NXU-dwjRiP-dwqu4Q-2mg8VEo-54iWZy-dwjR4V-bo57hS-2m8h8vn-2iKjdVr-BG8cUx-ekHaji-bo56XC

New security imperatives are giving rise to new policy dilemmas for Japan’s government.

Malabar 2019: Deepening US-India Defense Cooperation On Display

120413-N-UT411-2510 INDIAN OCEAN (April 13, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the Indian Navy replenishment oiler INS Shakti (A57) conduct a refueling-at-sea exercise. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed participating in the Malabar Exercise with ships and aircraft from the Indian Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Apprentice Andrew K. Haller/Released), modified, https://flickr.com/photos/my_public_domain_photos/40278388203/in/photolist-24nggx2-byWDbA-26XK9aT-28kmrHa-bMRHy2-5EYzTn-byWE3N-5F3TXu-dk7VKY-hJWaaj-owv62s-hJVef6-dk7Wwh-dk7WJN-bLW42z-2dTgKFL-dk7PBK-WEc1eM-5DFc6S-Vsm6Ad-26SpBdR-byX9cu-28g6vkL-dk813L-bMRJnZ-qU6hUd-qCrimK-5FdvPT-byXce7-SQzwNY-byXeiu-bMRQRt-bwW2pN-ox4pFx-bMRzic-qDPUJQ-byWCFf-pZo7E7-qDXBKF-qDPXkG-5ExkHc-dk7R29-5FfVa3-dk7Yn9-pY6PGX-byX1MG-bMRU2F-5FbCmM-26XNFkx-qUJZap

The growing significance of the annual Malabar naval exercises is certainly a sign of the times in the Indo-Pacific region.

US-India Relations in 2019: A Closer Partnership?

G20op, cc Flickr The White House, modified, (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead), public domain

A variety of shared geopolitical interests will bring New Delhi and Washington closer together in the year to come.

China-India Relations: A Pearl Is Unstrung in the Maldives

Ibrahim_Mohamed_Solih_-_Maldives2, cc Wikicommons, modified, Asimoosa, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ibrahim_Mohamed_Solih_-_Maldives2.jpg

Opposition politician Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has won the Maldives’ general election, putting China’s latest foray into India’s backyard in jeopardy.

China-India Geopolitical Competition: First Maldives, Next Sri Lanka?

cc Indian Navy, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Indian_Navy_personnel_salute_from_a_naval_ship.jpg

It’s not just the Maldives where India and China are staring each other down in the Indian Ocean. The “Resplendent Island” is also a potential frontline in the simmering geopolitical competition between Asia’s giants.

New Delhi and Beijing’s Struggle for Influence over the Maldives

141009-N-TW634-284 INDIAN OCEAN (Oct. 9, 2014) Maldivian Coast Guard service members practice using a shepherd’s hook while conducting visit, board, search and seizure training with Sailors aboard the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60). Rodney M. Davis, stationed in Everett, Wash., is on patrol in the Indian Ocean in support of regional security and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derek A. Harkins/Released)

There is a geopolitical dimension to the dramatic events unfolding in the Maldives.

Myanmar: Ground Zero for China-India Energy Competition

cc Claude TRUONG-NGOC, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aung_San_Suu_Kyi_par_Claude_Truong-Ngoc_octobre_2013.jpg

Although democratization has brought added scrutiny to joint ventures in Myanmar, the NLD government is very much in need of the infrastructure investment that China and India can offer.

Japan Dreams of a Chinese Energy Chokehold

Abe at a Russia-Japan business summit in 2016; modified, cc kremlin.ru : http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/53477

The Japanese government is seeking allies in a bid to balance against a rising China.

China’s First Military Base Reveals an Evolving Foreign Policy

cc L.G.Liao, modified, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:China_-_Air_Force_-_Xian_Y-20.jpg

The principle of non-interference is getting a makeover with regards to China’s foreign policy in Africa.

Challenging US Preeminence: China Grand Strategy and the Monroe Doctrine

SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 14, 2010) The Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), left, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Osumi-class amphibious assault ship JDS Kunisaki (LST 4003), center, and two landing craft air cushions assigned to Kunisaki transit through the South China Sea to Cambodia. Mercy is deployed as part of Pacific Partnership 2010, the fifth in a series of annual U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance endeavors to strengthen regional partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Husman/Released) / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Navy_100614-N-6597H-681_The_Military_Sealift_Command_hospital_ship_USNS_Mercy_%28T-AH_19%29,_left,_the_Japan_Maritime_Self-Defense_Force_Osumi-class_amphibious_assault_ship_JDS_Kunisaki_%28LST_4003%29.jpg

What do plans to build a Chinese rival to the Panama Canal in Nicaragua say about the fall of the Monroe Doctrine and the rise of China as a global power?

Obama-Modi Summit: US Pivots All the Way to India

President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Naredra Modi have tea in the garden gazebo at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. January 25, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) / https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/01/26/highlights-president-obamas-visit-india

Obama doctrine finally got its field test in India, a chance for the president to ‘walk the walk’ of the US pivot.

Bangladesh’s Sonadia Port Dilemma: Is the US Navy the Answer?

Generated by Google Gemini on August 4, 2025.

Government plans to build a China-financed deep seaport at Sonadia have hit a snag recently as Dhaka reconsiders the geopolitical implications of such a move.

Is Bangladesh the Newest Addition to China’s ‘String of Pearls’?

cc Took-ranch at English Wikipedia, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinese_Kilo_in_service.jpg

Bangladesh may be drifting away from its traditional ally India and right into China’s wider plan of constructing a 'string of pearls' to contain New Delhi.

Modi’s Foreign Policy: Tectonic Shift or Business as Usual?

President Barack Obama talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India during their bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, Sept. 30, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) / https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2014/09/30/president-obama-meets-indian-prime-minister-narendra-modi

A decisive electoral win in the world’s largest democracy has the potential to re-draw some of Asia’s longstanding geopolitical fault lines.

India-China Relations: The Geopolitics of Aksai Chin

cc Eric Feng, modified, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%E7%94%9C%E6%B0%B4%E6%B5%B7%E5%85%B5%E7%AB%99.jpg Tianshuihai Army Service Station Signage

Examining the geopolitical significance of the disputed area of Aksai Chin along the Sino-Indian border.

India-China Relations in 2013: Cooperation and Conflict

China India flags Generated by Google Gemini on July 25, 2025.

Part one in a series examining China-India relations in the 21st century.

India Dips a Toe into the South China Sea Dispute

cc US Navy, modified, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:INS_Kulish_%28P63%29_is_underway_with_U.S._and_Indian_navy_ships_during_Exercise_Malabar_2012.jpg

Exploring some of the latest developments in the ongoing South China Sea dispute.

The Geopolitics of Burmese Democracy

cc Flickr thierry ehrmann, modified, https://www.flickr.com/photos/home_of_chaos/36683466244/in/photolist-XTAmtW-aFNhNP-dc4k72-aFNhqx-cepefy-8gSN9R-cmfsvy-48zeer-dc4fGn-6QqQmC-SZnSzL-cmfsRU-mDsk8j-9W6gVG-kfzLud-buLT91-8SXCBZ-2cb5qVc-dtNA3b-48DfLs-dcyDC9-dWsFBA-952MMj-Myrpra-tN2ptf-dtNuZq-ciAcbs-ciGSif-dzjPM4-crU21W-aFuKTg-gUMfnu-b759c-hgi4rR-dGZTC5-hhKPAB-9SFEvs-sAYpNM-ciAch3-hhL6Gd-oqRjtx-h93C5i-oH4KGx-dWsFzC-6CnN7m-2c6AGej-MkW16b-8gW3Eu-MoDtVK-baCYtk

Global media outlets may have a feel-good story in Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent by-election win, but an over-emphasis on the domestic is missing the geopolitical forest for the trees.

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