String of pearls
Topic: World Transport and Communication · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
"String of pearls" is a term used widely in India for China's chain of ports and bases around the Indian Ocean. Each port is a "pearl", and together they almost form a ring around India. Many in India see this as an attempt to encircle India and spread Chinese naval power. The ports also protect China's sea routes for oil and trade.
Example
The pearls include Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Kyaukphyu (Myanmar) and China's naval base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa (2017). India has responded with its SAGAR/MAHASAGAR policy and by gaining access to Sabang (Indonesia), Duqm (Oman) and Chabahar (Iran).
Don't confuse with
- Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): BRI is China's own connectivity plan from 2013, covering both land routes and sea routes. The string of pearls is not an official Chinese plan. It describes how others see the strategic effect of China's Indian Ocean ports.
Related concepts
- Belt and Road Initiative
- China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
- Gwadar port
- Hambantota port
- International North-South Transport Corridor
- Ashgabat Agreement
- India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
- Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
- BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement