India and China Face Off in Southeast Asia: A New Naval Contest for Influence

Beijing: A new contest for influence is unfolding in Southeast Asia as the navies of India and China come face-to-face. Both nations are strengthening their naval presence in the region to bolster ties with local countries and assert strategic influence. In recent months, India and China have been deploying warships and conducting extensive training missions in the waters of Southeast Asia.

Indian Naval Deployment
The Indian Ministry of Defence announced that the First Training Squadron, comprising INS Teer, Shardul, Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi, has been dispatched on a long-term mission as part of an officer training program. The squadron will visit Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand, providing comprehensive operational and cross-cultural experience to trainee officers. Six foreign trainees from allied countries are also part of this mission, along with personnel from the Indian Army and Air Force to enhance tri-service coordination.

China Strengthens Presence
China, too, has been extending its naval footprint overseas. Between 15 November and 22 December 2025, three Chinese warships conducted deep-sea training exercises, visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. During these visits, Chinese naval officers shared operational experience and conducted on-ground training. Officials emphasized that these missions were training-oriented, not military drills.

Strategic Importance of Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia lies at a critical junction between China in the east and India in the west. Both nations are using naval deployments, arms sales, and military cooperation to strengthen defense ties with regional countries and expand their influence. According to a Pentagon report, China views the “First Island Chain”—stretching across China and most Southeast Asian nations—as a strategic priority.

India’s Act East Policy
In response to China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean, India has intensified its engagement in Southeast Asia under its Act East Policy. Historically within India’s sphere of influence, the region has seen closer ties with China over the past decade. India is now moving quickly to reclaim its strategic foothold and maintain a balance of power.