New Delhi: In a significant strategic win, India has secured the operational rights to a terminal at Bangladesh’s Mongla port, marking a major advancement in its maritime strategy. This development is set to enhance India’s influence in the Indian Ocean region, especially as China has been expanding its presence through its Maritime Silk Road initiative.
The specifics of the deal are not yet disclosed, but this move represents India’s third successful international port acquisition in recent years, following Chabahar in Iran and Sittwe in Myanmar. The Mongla port operation aligns with India’s broader goal of strengthening its foothold in critical maritime locations amid China’s growing dominance.
China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative has seen substantial investments in ports from Gwadar in Pakistan to Djibouti in East Africa, positioning China as a major player in global port operations. Currently, none of the Indian ports rank among the world’s top ten for container traffic, while China boasts six ports on the list.
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C. Uday Bhaskar, director of the Delhi-based think tank Society for Policy Studies, noted that progress at Chabahar and Sittwe has been hindered by geopolitical and security issues. “The development in Iran and Myanmar has been uneven due to geopolitical factors, and we hope Mongla will enable faster execution of the agreement,” Bhaskar told the South China Morning Post.
China is involved in at least 17 Indian Ocean ports, directly constructing 13 of them. India’s new port terminal operation at Mongla is expected to enhance its strategic maritime influence and reinforce regional security. Bhaskar emphasized the growing importance of “port diplomacy” as a tool of national power, a strategy China has effectively employed.
