look news india
Such a big and shocking news is coming out from the neighboring country Bangladesh, which has given sleepless nights to Indian security agencies and strategic experts. In a major blow to India on the geopolitical front, Bangladesh has handed over the management and terminal operation of a large part of its strategically important ‘Mongla Port’ to China instead of India. After this step, very serious and worrying questions have been raised regarding the security of India’s eastern sea coast, especially Kolkata and Haldia ports of West Bengal. This increasing presence of China in the Indian subcontinent may prove to be a new maze for India.
How did India lose control of Mongla Port?
For a long time, India was expecting that it would get the responsibility of development and operation of Mongla port, because this port was very important to strengthen the connectivity between India and Bangladesh. Indian companies were considered to be ahead in this race. But due to recent political developments and Beijing’s huge economic influence, Bangladesh handed over the project to a company controlled by the Communist government of China. Experts believe that China has lured Bangladesh towards its side with its old ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ (debt trap policy) and luring huge investment, the results of which are now visible on the surface.
Why has the danger to Kolkata and Haldia ports increased?
If we look at the geographical location of Mongla Port, it is very close to Kolkata Port and Haldia Dock Complex located in West Bengal, India. China getting control of this port simply means that now the Chinese Dragon has direct access to the very mouth of the Indian maritime border and sensitive areas of Sundarbans. According to security analysts, under the cover of this port, China will now be able to easily keep an eye on the activities of the Indian Navy, the trade route of Kolkata-Haldia Port and India’s missile testing zone in the Bay of Bengal. This situation can become a permanent headache for India’s sovereignty and maritime security.
Chinese move to encircle India under ‘String of Pearls’ policy
For the last several years, China has been working on the ‘String of Pearls’ strategy to surround India from all sides. After Gwadar Port of Pakistan, Hambantota Port of Sri Lanka and Kyaukphyu Port of Myanmar, now Mongla Port of Bangladesh also seems to be a part of this chain. Although Bangladesh is calling it merely a trade agreement, history is witness to the fact that wherever China builds a commercial port, its navy and warships gradually camp there. Now, intense discussion has started in the corridors of New Delhi on how to counter this new aggressive step of China and keep our eastern sea border safe.