Washington/Dhaka: China is reportedly planning to establish military bases in four countries bordering India—Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan—according to a new Pentagon report. The U.S. Department of Defense has flagged this move as a significant strategic development in the region.
The report highlights that China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is actively seeking to expand its military infrastructure in these countries to enhance its operational reach, including naval and air power support. Pakistan, where China has already developed a naval base in Gwadar, is one of the key focal points. Bangladesh is now also reportedly under consideration for a Chinese military outpost.
China Strengthens Military Ties in South Asia
The Pentagon report further notes that China has supplied Pakistan with 20 J-10C fighter jets and is engaged in collaborative production of the JF-17 fighter. Bangladesh, historically a strong military partner of China under Sheikh Hasina, continues to enhance defense cooperation, acquiring VT-5 light tanks and Ming-class naval vessels. In 2024, China delivered two Ming-class submarines and two warships to Bangladesh.
The report emphasizes that Beijing has shifted its stance under the current government of Mohammed Yunus, offering open support to Dhaka. Bangladesh has also expressed interest in acquiring J-10C fighter jets—the same aircraft Pakistan used against India’s Rafale jets—demonstrating deepening military collaboration with China.
Strategic Implications for India and the Region
The report warns that China’s strategic expansion comes amid ongoing India-China border tensions. Beijing’s military moves with Pakistan aim to counterbalance strengthening India-U.S. ties. While tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have eased following meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Pentagon cautions that China now considers Arunachal Pradesh part of its “core interest,” raising sovereignty concerns for India.
China’s ambition extends beyond South Asia, with plans to establish military facilities in Angola, Cuba, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, UAE, and Vanuatu. The PLA seeks strategic positions in the Malacca Strait, Strait of Hormuz, and other key locations across Africa and the Middle East to secure its sea lines of communication.
Conclusion
The Pentagon report underscores the growing military footprint of China in South Asia and beyond, highlighting a strategic challenge for India and its allies. The report urges vigilance as Beijing continues to strengthen its regional presence through military infrastructure and defense cooperation with neighboring states.
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