The Bay of Bengal has emerged as a key arena for Sino-Indian competition due to its proximity to vital sea lanes, rich resource potential, and strategic geography. This paper analyses how China and India employ port development initiatives in the Bay littorals—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar—to secure their economic interests, extend geopolitical influence, and mitigate strategic vulnerabilities. Through case studies, the paper highlights China’s dominance in port projects in these littoral countries, driven by massive funding, integrated planning, and flexible diplomacy. India, meanwhile, is constrained by various factors, largely, resource limitations and its exercise of strategic caution. The paper outlines recommendations for New Delhi to sustain a stronger maritime and diplomatic presence in the region.
Ports and Geopolitics: The Case of Sino-Indian Rivalry in the Bay of Bengal
