Two tiny islands with 289 inhabitants, lost in the Indian Ocean, 1100 kilometers north of Mauritius, currently employ politicians, the military and strategists.
Because the Agaléga Islands document the new role that India, urged by its democratic partners, is to take on in geoeconomics: Asia's third-largest economy will take part in slowing Beijing and will reward it with investments, among other things.
Satellite images show that India is building a runway and two jetties on the atolls.
The Indians seem to be following on a small scale what China has been doing for years with its land acquisition in the South China Sea and the Western Pacific: An area that is crucial for the global economy is secured by military bases that are being expanded bit by bit.
Christoph Hein
Business correspondent for South Asia / Pacific based in Singapore.
Follow I follow
The strategic importance of the Indian Ocean has long been underestimated. It is the gateway to the trade route between Europe and the oil countries on the one hand and the world's factory on the other - without oil and gas supplies, it would stutter within days. Beijing recognized this very early on and increased its influence in the Indian Ocean. After the land grab in the South China Sea and its growing activities, for example through the construction of infrastructure and the dispatch of submarines in the Indian Ocean, the interest of the democracies in the huge sea area is now increasing. After all, it is a crucial part of the Indo-Pacific region, which generates 60 percent of the world's economic output and a good two thirds of its growth. It's not just about shipping lines.It is also about supplying billions of people with fish, mineral resources and tourism. With China, Japan and India, three of the four largest economies are located here outside the European Union.
Navy maneuvers in China's forecourt
Despite all internal problems such as the long-sluggish economy and the Corona catastrophe, India is now trying to play an increasingly stronger role in the region. Beijing's behavior has taught New Delhi that it will not be able to continue its economic upswing without securing its resources - for example, it is dependent on enormous shipments of oil and gas by sea. At the same time, the allies, the Quadruple, together with the democracies of America, Australia and Japan, but also Europe, are putting ever more pressure on New Delhi because they see it as an ally. Tony Abbott, former Australian Prime Minister and now special envoy for trade with India, said Monday that "the answer to virtually every question about China is India".He is therefore openly in favor of closer military ties, but also in favor of increased trade: “Since trade agreements are not only about economics but also about politics, a swift trade agreement between India and Australia would be an important sign that the democratic world turns away from China. "
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the United Nations Security Council on maritime security for the first time on Monday.
In view of the importance of the Indian Ocean, India is preparing to become a “maritime nation”, commented the Indian media.
Days earlier, the INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier built in India, set sail for test drives off Kochi.
More importantly, the Ministry of Defense in New Delhi announced that India, together with its quad partners, would hold the “Malabar” naval maneuver in the western Pacific this year.
With Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, the Indians will then carry out their own maneuvers in China's forecourt, the South China Sea.
Stand up to China
Compared to the western Pacific, the Indian Ocean, through which most of the world's oil is shipped, has so far been neglected. Beijing, however, stretched its arms here at an early stage: The People's Liberation Army operates a “supply base” in Djibouti directly on the Gulf of Aden. The Chinese are developing the port of Gwadar in Pakistan as the end point of their economic corridor in the neighboring country, which has been expanded to up to 80 billion dollars. And in Sri Lanka, in the middle of India's forecourt, China has secured an important base in the port of Hambantota. The Americans have long since secured the Diego Garcia military base, which has been equipped for navy and aircraft.
Like Beijing for years, India and Mauritius, to which Agaléga belongs, are now denying military intentions. But the 3000 meter long runway for the Boeing 737 or Airbus A321 and buildings for communication and surveillance technology leave few questions unanswered. “It's the perfect place for a military base. Together with other Indian operating bases, it is extremely important, ”says Samuel Bashfield of the Australian National University. Abhishek Mishra of the Indian think tank Observer Research Foundation said the islands would be used as a base for Indian scouts. An island resident, Arnaud Poulay, told the Al Jazeera agency: “Nobody from Agaléga is trained to work in such a port. It is clear that Indians will do that. "
In the face of its clashes with Beijing, Australia is increasingly courting India. Abbott simply called on India to take its "intended place" in the world and thus to stand up to China. Beijing has "used the goodwill and wishful thinking of the West to steal our technology and undermine our industries."