2013 · GS Paper 2 · Q19 · 10 marks
What do you understand by 'The String of Pearls' ? How does it impact India ? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
In short
The String of Pearls is China's chain of ports and facilities around India, from Gwadar and Hambantota to Kyaukphyu and Djibouti, which risks strategic encirclement, dual-use military access and debt leverage. India counters it through SAGAR, naval access at Duqm and Agalega, the Chabahar terminal deal and the Quad.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 305 words
Strategic encirclement
Ports on both maritime flanks let China watch India, and Gwadar, linked by CPEC, ties a pearl to Pakistan.
Dual-use risk
A Chinese submarine docked at Colombo in 2014 and the tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 berthed at Hambantota in 2022.
Debt leverage
Sri Lanka leased Hambantota to a Chinese firm for 99 years in 2017 after failing to repay loans.
Sea lanes
Most of India's oil and trade moves by sea, so Chinese footholds threaten energy security and let neighbours play the China card.
Doctrine and aid
SAGAR (2015) and Neighbourhood First pair aid with security, as in India's support of about $4 billion to Sri Lanka in 2022.
Access network
Naval access at Duqm (2018) and Changi, the Agalega airstrip in Mauritius (2024) and a ten-year Chabahar terminal deal (2024).
Maritime awareness
The Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (2018) and coastal radars in Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives track Chinese ships.
Partners
The Quad, Malabar exercise and the Andaman and Nicobar Command extend India's reach over the Malacca approaches.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2013 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.