January 30, 2008 at 15:37:02

India alarmed as Chinese-built Gwadar port of Pakistan becomes operationalby Abdus Sattar Ghazali

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_ab...rmed_as_chi.htm

India has expressed concern over the Chinese built Pakistani port of Gwadar. Indian Naval Chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta said last week that the Gwadar port has "serious strategic implications for India."

"Being only 180 nautical miles from the exit of the Straits of Hormuz, Gwadar, being bulit in Baluchistan coast, would enable Pakistan take control over the world energy jugular and interdiction of Indian tankers," he said.


Admial Mehta’s statement coincides with the handing over of the port’s management to Singapore Port Authority which last year won a bid to operate the port for 40 years, and the government has exempted it from corporate tax and all import duties on equipment and machinery. China did not bid to operate the port.

Borrowing a page from US Colonel Christopher J. Pehrson’s study called: String of Pearls: Meeting the Challenge of China's Rising Power Across the Asian Littoral, Admiral Mehta said that China is seeking to set up bases and outposts across the globe, strategically located along its energy lines, to monitor and safeguard energy flows.

Col. Pehron argues that the "String of Pearls" describes the manifestation of China's rising geopolitical influence through efforts to increase access to ports and airfields, develop special diplomatic relationships, and modernize military forces that extend from the South China Sea through the Strait of Malacca, across the Indian Ocean, and on to the Arabian Gulf.

A question posed by the "String of Pearls" is the uncertainty of whether China’s growing influence is in accordance with Beijing’s stated policy of "peaceful development," or if China one day will make a bid for regional primacy, Col Pehron said and added: “This is a complex strategic situation that could determine the future direction of the China’s relationship with the United States, as well as China’s relationship with neighbors throughout the region.”

Gwadar port, the third deep-sea port of Pakistan, seems to be of no major use to Pakistan as there is no need of a feeder port in Balochistan deserts. Moreover, the two existing ports in Karachi (Karachi port and Bin Qasim port) are also expanding their operations. Hence, many experts believe that Gwadar port has a strategic value although it will bring economic prosperity to this barren region as a by-product.

Why the new emerging economic superpower China has invested heavily in this project? China doesn’t have any port of hot waters(material error. as a matter of fact, all Chinese ports can be used the whole year), which can be used the whole year. The Shanghai port is approximately 16,000 km away from Chinese industrial areas(hmmm...material error again) and sea travel takes an additional two to three months. This costs them a lot in the form of taxes and duties as well. Compared to this, Gwadar port is only at a distance of 2,500 km from China and the port will be working the whole year because of its hot waters.

China’s decision to finance the construction of Gwadar port and coastal highway linking the port to Karachi will help its plans to develop western China. The distance from Kashgar to Chinese east coast ports is 3,500 km, whereas the distance from Kashgar to Gwadar is only 1,500 km. The cost benefits to China of using Gwadar as the port for western China’s imports and exports are as evident as the long-term economic benefits to Pakistan of Gwadar becoming a port for Chinese goods.

Surely, China's interest in Gwadar is motivated by the latter's strategic location. Gwadar is just 72km from the Iranian border and 400km east of the Strait of Hormuz, a major conduit of global oil supplies. China's massive involvement in the Gwadar project - it has provided most of its funding and technical expertise - has provided Beijing with a "listening post" from where it can "monitor US naval activity in the Persian Gulf, Indian activity in the Arabian Sea, and future US-Indian maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean", according to Zia Haider, an analyst at the Washington-based Stimson Center.

Other "pearls" that China has been developing are naval facilities in Bangladesh, where it is developing a container-port facility at Chittagong; in Myanmar, where it is building radar, refit and refuel facilities at bases in Sittwe, Coco, Hianggyi, Khaukphyu, Mergui and Zadetkyi Kyun; and in Thailand and Cambodia.

India alarmed

The new Chinese plans have rung alarm bells in India and the US too. India feels that it is encircled by China from three sides - Myanmar, Tibet and Pakistan. To counter Sino-Pak collaboration, India has brought Afghanistan and Iran into an economic and strategic alliance.

Following the Chinese ambitions in the region, India has pursued closer military ties with the US and issued a new naval doctrine stressing the need of protecting energy routes and responding to Beijing’s inroads into the Arabian Sea.

To counter the Gwadar port that is also called the Chinese Gibraltar by Washington, India has built Chabahar port in Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran - just adjacent to Gwadar. India is also helping Iran in building a 200km road that will connect Chabahar with Afghanistan.

It will provide access via land to the port for their imports and exports to and from Central Asia. Presently, India is in urgent need of a shorter transit route to quickly ship its trade goods to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Sri Lankan connection

China moved into India’s backyard when it signed an agreement with Sri Lanka in March 2007 to develop Hambantota Development Zone, which includes a container port, a bunkering system, an oil refinery, an airport and other facilities. It is expected to cost about US$1 billion and the Chinese are said to be financing more than 85% of the project. The entire project is scheduled to be completed in the next 15 years.

The Chinese role in the Hambantota project is not just about influence in Sri Lanka, it is about China's presence close to Indian shores, which has implications for India's security. With Hambantota, Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean has been further consolidated.

The Hambantota port project is the latest in a series of steps that China has taken in recent years to consolidate its access to the Indian Ocean and to secure sea lanes through which its energy supplies are transported.

The sea-lanes of Indian Ocean have become vital for India's expanding global trade. They carry fossil fuels so vital for India's ever increasing energy needs. India sees Sri Lanka as a sentinel of its security astride the Indian Ocean. Indian navy's development as a blue water navy is on the cards to protect its maritime and economic interests.

The US-India agreement to jointly patrol the Indian Ocean from the Red Sea to the crucial Malacca Straits is one reflection of this – especially when viewed in the light of the Indian naval exercises in the South China Sea and the establishment of India’s Far East Command in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The US Congress report about US-India Relations has pointed out that some analysts have lauded increased U.S.-India security ties as providing potential counterbalance to growing Chinese influence in the region.

India needs to stop crying like a b!tch.

Bojangles.

This is very Bad.

Why are you insulting Somebody When you know its Nature.

http://pakistanidefenceforum.com//index.ph...c=72812&hl=


can we have one thread for this issue. the forum is flooded with indian topics

Agreed.

Well, I doubt China would station any advanced ships at Gwadar anyhow. They only have 2 052B and 2 052C's. Probably they'll station a Luhu at Gwadar intermittently.

The point is not if China stations its fleet there immediately, but the methods that China can use to control the region. The Chinese navy is expanding at a very quick pace...as fast if not faster than India, and their newer surface ships are more advanced than those of the IN, so they will soon (within a decade) have enough ships that they can station a substantial number of slightly older ships (that are still effective) there if necessary. However, the PN is also expanding fairly quickly. The aquistion of the new 3-6 U-214s, 4 F-22Ps, 8 MRTP-33, possibly 4-8 Milgem Corvettes, and 4 new frigates (as per PN requirements) of 3000+ tons (i.e. Type-54A) will greatly expand the PN's capabilities and PN will finally pose a significant threat to the IN in the Arabian Sea (IN will still dominate, but the threat by a 12-16 relatively advanced surface ships as well as 6-9 advanced submarines would be very real). Pakistan would be used by proxy to help control the straits of hormus, and keep Chinese shipping lanes in tact (as they are relatively the same shipping lanes). It is far cheaper for China to help make Pakistan a self-sufficient power in the Arabian Sea, than to station her own fleet there. That is the threat of Gwadar. PN wont need China to secure the coast, but China will use Pakistan to do that by itself thus freeing the now substantial might of the PLAN to more pressing matters like Taiwan...and dominating India when necessary.

US also seems to be taking an interest in the Gwadar port they seem to we worried about the Chinese involvement in the first phase and the funding to build the port to the naval stationing in the region. but i have found a very good thesis on the issue below.

http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/theses/Hassan05.pdf

but thats what b!tchez do best, and India is full of them

A quick question!!

Isnt PN planning to aquire an aircraft carrier?? Although it plays a major role in conflicts! and Indian is also planning for some then what will we do to counter them??

Comission our subs in those waters!

bhindi wet dhoti!!

Gunmen kill coast guard in south-west Pakistan, say police
Posted 3 hours 15 minutes ago Link

Gunmen riding motorcycles shot dead a coast guard and injured two others in Pakistan's restive south-western Baluchistan province, police said.

The coast guards were sitting in a vehicle outside their camp near the south-western town of Hub when their killers shot them with automatic weapons and fled, a police official said.

"One coast guard was killed and two others were injured," local police official Mohammad Amin Lasi said.

The bombing was claimed by a militant group identifying itself as the Baluchistan Liberation Army.

Baluchistan, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has been in the grip of a three-year rebellion waged by ethnic Baluch rebels seeking more political rights and a greater share of profits from the region's natural resources.

- AFP

"Baluchistan ... rebellion waged by ethnic Baluch rebels seeking more political rights and a greater share of profits from the region's natural resources."
if it was only that the gop could've settled the issue when it began.

That means he is asking for more money from the government. he want to build navy with more modern ships, he is projecting some 40+ ships, he has to cry loud so that those babus in Delhi wakes up in time and here his call.

Try to read in between sometimes. I don't think they are understanding the implication of operational Gwadar Port only now, that was sensed long back, probably even before the project was started, and that is what strategy planners do isn’t it.

ur cns is right. india have nothing to fight against pakistan navy with f-22p, u-214 and p-3c backed by plan.

fist gwadar completes, i would see the best navy in asia after china.

Sad but true.

Sure, while sitting in Singapore everything you see in west is Paksitan.

But for your information it’s not Pakistan that India is worried about, it’s the presences of China that India has to think about, if China decides to dock there ships there, Indian Navy will have to be more vigilant, I guess is it will create headache for US as well, I don’t think many countries, US, UK and some Nato countries will be happy with moment of Chinese ships in Indian Ocean. But again only time will prove, so we wait and watch.

"Off records, Indian Navy is #### scared of Paksitani Navy"

Sorry double post.

India has other options too u knw. like the Iranian port Chabahar she is building to supply Afghanistan from Iran. and the point is this port is even more closer to the Straits of Hormuz.

but the problem with the iranian port is its in iran ... all major powers don't want trade through iran, because they they don't want to depend on iran, and obviously china will prefer a shorter route and one neighbor over a longer transit route through many neighbors (iran and CIS)

chabahar is for Iran, India, and the non-aligned or former soviet allies
most nations don't want to touch iran for fear of the larger economic powers shunning them due to investing in iran

Charbahar has been around since last 15 years ... I would say after after the cold shoulder which India gave to Iran in the recent years including the pipeine, the Iranian Mullah's would not be over zealeous with trade virtues of India !

^^ Add to that, Chabahar offers nothing to India, unless it is through Pakistan.

The agreement with Iran for the use of Chabahar port for Indian navy was in case of conflict if needed, not as a trading port, I am not sure where this agreement really stands in present time, things has changed so much since then as we know.

The issue here is that war like situation will probably never arise, but Chinese Naval presence at Gwadar Port will be annoying for India.

This might be one of the rare times i have been explicit about anyone.... but f u c k off India....... It is out port... our land... we can do anything as we please and we wont take this nonesense

You guys have 15+ major ports in your country and when we are inaugurating our first (outside karachi) .. u guys are like shitting in your pants... you still think we should trust you with friendship crap.... how long i ask... and how many times..????????

Oh boy ain't i missing Dizasta today...

The govt. till my last info. had no plans of letting this port use it for hosting foreign navies but now i wont mind that.. i say let the entire Chinese navy be our guest. You guys really deserve an ass kicking...

Complete_Supermacy you have Completely_Lost your cool man.... In one line to say, I don’t think India has any objection to the port at all, or have complained about it.

Sure it is Pakistan's port and Pakistan can do whatever it like with it, or even give to China.

Well then u must have missed your CNS's statement that he made a few weeks ago...

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-...y_10014101.html

It sounds like you are very angry at this whole thing, but if you cool down a little, it will start looking better.

Indian Navy Chief has expressed worries in term to Military implications, nothing to do other wise. If port is purely for trading then it’s a different matter, he is talking how at advantage is Pakistan that can imply to situation against Indian supply of Oil etc that can be disturbed or exploited at Pakistan.

Also Chinese card, if you understand, what he is doing is his Job, if 2 enemy works together from same place is certainly matter to worries.

He has not made any statement the Pakistan should not operate the port or Chinese should no have presence there. It is totally up to Pakistan to make that choice isn’t it?

Anyway take it easy dear..

It sounds like you are very angry at this whole thing, but if you cool down a little, it will start looking better.

Jag : Tempers in Pakistani population is flaying not because of anything but by the cowardly act of Indian govt. in killing an innocent youngers and not even having the decency to give a report of his death while we pardoning a convicted Spy of India.

Not only has this action destoryed the life of the family of the killed youngster but a major social worker / Ansar Burney is not haunted and has lost his respect in the Pakistani masses.

Any person will be angry .. especially when we note now India is black mailing us for hanging a convicted terrorist whose stories has twisted & turned so many times.

Any wise person will become angry at the way India has treated our generosity.

u r missing the point. India won't use that port for trading. she will use it as a base for her naval ships. its like going one step ahead of Pakistan's Gwadar and controlling the oil flow. everybody knws that India can't use that port for trading because there is no land route from there to India.

Chabahar will be a sitting duck in front of Pakistani cruise-missiles, considering it is less than 170km away from Gwadar, and less than 100km from the Iran-Pak border.

Oh boy don't u wanna cool me off... but is it that simple...???

In your world on interests you can go at any length and this is what pisses me off.. For the last 4/5 years you are using the BLA as your proxy..complete destabilization in Baluchistan and attacks on Chinese engineers and the list goes on. You are using Afghanistan to counter the balance of china. But you don't mention how is Afghanistan really helping you guys here. The govt. over there has no more control outside kabul so the only reasonable conclusion i make (that is also the intel. reports) that you are using the unrest afghanistan as a launching pad on our borders as a two pronged strategy i.e. fueling terrorists activities through extremists and using BLA as unltranationalist resistance in Pakistan.

Finally what exact steps (officially) your govt. is planning to take to soothe the concern of your navy. Plz enlighten me?

we fire cruise missiles at Iranians they r going to object to that. they might enter the war on the Indian side. besides don't underestimate the Indian navy. if Gwadar is less than 170 km away then that also means that we r in the range of their Brahmos.

I understand your feeling, but here we are talking about Indian concern over Gwadar Port, not of any killing on Pakistani citizen, we already have another thread in place for this, express yourself there, I will answer you there not here, so this goes un-replied here from my end.

First of all please address (YOU) as India, I personally takes no decision or have any say in policy making process of India.

Well you could be right to extend that India would be involved in some activities happening in Pakistan ( I accept that), in same way Pakistan would have also been active in India, but they are all allegations until proved.
Is there any proof the Indian was involved in killing of Chinese at Gwadar Port earlier?
At the moment there are lots of attacks happening in Pakistan, would you blame that on India too?



Navy wants more ships, projection is of 40+ ships, the budget to modernise current navy and produce or buy more advance ships was probably approved in Parliament last year, having said that know the way things happens in Indian government it can be delayed for years and years, If naval chief makes some noise, process can speed up, I hope that answers your questions.

Now I honestly can go any further then this, if you get it, it’s good and if not good too, I think there is no rocket science in this to understand any further.

I understand your feeling, but here we are talking about Indian concern over Gwadar Port, not of any killing on Pakistani citizen, we already have another thread in place for this, express yourself there, I will answer you there not here, so this goes un-replied here from my end.

Jag : My earlier post was to explain the anger of the poster at that time & i also observer how conveniently you are avoiding the subject.

I think it was off topic. Anyway start another topic about it and we can talk. Cheers