Who is ahead in the battle for supremacy in the Indian Ocean? The string of pearls seen around India is called the Pursuit, a strategy of China to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean. Under this, China is building port bases, airstrips, and bases for its ships at 9 points in the Indian Ocean. Recently, a Parliament Committee report has said that China’s growing steps in the Indian Ocean are a big challenge for India. However, India has also started doing the opposite. Today, in Monday’s story, we will know the whole story of the competition for dominance between India and China in the Indian Ocean. Why is this ocean, i.e., the Indian Ocean, important for India and China? The Indian Ocean, which is spread from Australia to Africa and from India to the Southern Ocean, controls 20% of the Earth’s water power. 7.06 crores ago, 33 countries and 57 islands are connected to this region. India is its center, and 80% of the world’s sea oil is supplied from here. The four most important sea choke points of the world are in this area, such as the Swasthya Canal, Bol Mandir State Hormone Strait, and Malacca Strait.
Understanding the Indian Ocean and trade According to senior journalist Peter Martin, if there is any obstruction in the Indian Ocean, then the trade of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia will be affected, that is, by establishing dominance in the Indian Ocean, the world can be influenced, such as Cambodia, Pakistan’s border port, Africa’s Djibouti base and Celsius’s Victoria Port, China is developing ports in these countries, bringing them on the list and increasing its level dominance. Apart from this, China has also built posts in Tanzania and Kanya on the South African coast, while China’s BA project connects Asia to Africa and Europe, through which China is making a strategy of highway India and a digital network, which is a big challenge for India’s security. But India has also made a Necklace of Diamonds strategy in response to China’s strategy, although the Indian government has no official strategy, but an informal framework. To respond to China’s siege, India has made access to ports like Changi Sawang, Assumption, and Dukan. From Iran’s Chabahar to Mongolia, Japan, and Vietnam, through strategic partners, India is balancing China through both land and sea routes. Apart from this, India is building Naval Base INS Varsha in the coastal village of Andhra Pradesh, which is a high-tech level base with safe underground launching for nuclear submarines. The submarine can target China’s Haran Naval Base by traveling 35 kilometers from INS Varsha. A long airstrip and a big ANT have been built, which will start in 2024. Through this, India can monitor the southern and western parts of the Indian Ocean. Another strategic point of India to counter China is the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. India has a Tre Service Command here, in which the Army, Air Force, and Navy are all deployed.
Through the Naval and Station INS Haran here, the Navy can keep an eye on the movement of China in the Gulf and the State of Bengal, and can also carry out operations if the opportunity arises, but in some cases, China is more powerful than India. According to the Global Fire Power Index, India’s level ranking is fourth, while China’s is second. Apart from this, the level of power in the world is P, which is the ability of the ship to push water. India’s tonnage is 5.9 to 28.5, which is 5 times more than India’s. By 2030, the Indian Navy is preparing to add 180 years to its plate, while China’s target is to prepare 435 years. However, apart from India, the navies of countries like America, Britain, and Australia are also present in the Indian Ocean, which are balancing China’s influence.
How is the situation in that area of China where Rare Earth Elements are excavated? |
China dominates the supply of rare earth elements used in products like smartphones and TV screens. But BBC’s investigation has revealed that China has had to pay a heavy price to dominate this market. BBC correspondent Laura Bicker reached two major mining zones of China, Inner Mongolia in the north and Jiangxi in the south, where water has become dirty and soil poisonous due to toxic mineral mining. China has a stranglehold on the supply of rare earth minerals used in products like smartphones and TV screens, but the BBC’s investigation has revealed that China has had to pay a heavy price for dominating this market.
BBC correspondent Laura Bekar reached two big mining zones of China – Inner Mongolia in the north and Jianshi in the south. Where water has become dirty and soil poisonous due to toxic mineral mining. Here, the land has been dug for many years. Here, precious minerals are extracted by breaking the rocks, which is called a stronghold. Here, the world’s largest mine has been surrounded from all sides so that no one can go inside. Due to these mines, not only is the tension with America big, but it is also causing damage to the environment. Radioactive waste is put into big containers made here. After cancer and birth defects, people living nearby were removed from their homes. Whereas in the southern region of China, the mining sites are a little smaller. The toxic chemicals used to separate the metal are visible on every hill. The government is trying to reduce the damage. The mining company has been accused of land sliding and land grabbing. There is no direct solution. Someone or the other will be affected. Sadly, people like us are the most vulnerable. China not only mines rare earths but also processes 90% of the supply. Big shires have been built around this industry where thousands of people work. There are still some people here who are earning a little from farming. Earlier Mangali families used to live here. The elders died, and the youth went to the city in search of work. Rare earth companies bought our land, and we got the money. The world is dependent on China’s rare earth minerals, but the US and some countries want to reduce dependence on China. But it will not matter where the mining is taking place. Until lessons are learned, both land and lives will remain in danger.