Abstract
Developments of the past few years clearly indicate China’s quest to establish a permanent maritime-strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region. With China fast emerging as a global super-power with the potential to challenge the primacy of the USA, this is accompanied with significant geopolitical, geoeconomic and security ramifications for the regional countries. This article attempts to examine the possible implications in terms of regional stability, regional balance of power, maritime security, maritime safety, economics and the adversarial potential in India–China relations. For an objective analysis, the study is based on two contrasting theories of international relations. When viewed in context of the Realist theory, China’s presence in the region may lead to zero-sum outcomes. On the other hand, the premise of Constructivism could lead to “win-win” outcomes. The paper concludes that the outcomes are likely to lie somewhere between the aforesaid extremes, depending upon the actions of all states that have stakes in the region. It also attempts broadly to suggest the way ahead for all stakeholders in the region.
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