China proposed the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" initiative in 2013, aimed at promoting regional maritime infrastructure connectivity. India is wary of this and believes that China intends to transform its economic power into maritime influence. Indian Prime Minister Modi emphasized India's crucial position in the Indo Pacific region and expressed concerns about maritime security. Indian scholars and strategists worry about the military presence of the Chinese navy in the Indian Ocean and the militarization of the "the Belt and Road" project. The United States regards India as an important partner in balancing China and invites India to join the "Blue Dot Network" and the "Indo Pacific Economic Framework". India remains cautious in its policy towards China and adopts hedging strategies, including strengthening strategic cooperation with the United States, Japan, and Australia, expanding its influence in the Indian Ocean, and proposing alternative economic assistance programs to reduce neighboring countries' economic dependence on China.

1、 Establishing a hedging alliance mechanism against China

Elaborate on India's adjustments to its maritime power strategy layout in the context of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. In response to China's strategic military growth and expansion of military activities in the Indian Ocean region, India has made significant military strategic adjustments, including joining and deeply participating in the Quad Security Dialogue (QUAD) between the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. This marks India's departure from its long-standing policy of non alignment. India's transformation is aimed at leveraging the power of maritime countries outside the region to maintain its dominant position in the Indian Ocean.

2、 Proactively layout important international shipping routes and key strategic nodes in the Indian Ocean region

The Indian military regards the development of China's maritime power as a threat to the Indian Ocean port system, proposes the security concept of "regional security and common prosperity", formulates a maritime security strategy, and takes the lead in laying out key strategic shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. The Indian Navy has released the document "Ensuring Maritime Security: India's Maritime Security Strategy", which clearly lists the Mozambique Strait, Mandeb Strait, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, Sunda Strait, and Lombok Strait as international maritime transportation chokepoints, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the security of commercial maritime routes in the Indian Ocean. India has strengthened its military deployment in the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands, monitoring the Ten Degrees Strait. Blair Port has become the headquarters of the Far East Navy and an international trade center, while Campbell Bay has become a crude oil transshipment port. The Indian Navy has deployed P8 anti submarine patrol aircraft in the Andaman Islands to strengthen its military presence in the Mozambique Channel and southwestern waters of the Indian Ocean. India and Seychelles are cooperating to establish military facilities on Assange Island, and despite political resistance, they are still advancing maritime security cooperation. India is building airports and port facilities in the Agalega Islands of Mauritius to enhance the defense forces' ability to safeguard the interests of the outer islands. India has also strengthened maritime security cooperation with Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam, supported Indonesia's "Guidelines for Bilateral Maritime Security Cooperation" plan, conducted joint naval exercises with Indonesia, signed a maritime security cooperation agreement with Singapore, and jointly maintained freedom of navigation in key waterways.

3、 Enhance hedging influence on neighboring countries with pro China tendencies

Under the background of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, India has adopted a strategy of enhancing hedging influence against neighboring countries with a pro China tendency. India is concerned that China's investment in neighboring countries may lead to these countries making diplomatic decisions biased towards China, thereby marginalizing India's national interests. To this end, India has taken a series of political, military, and economic measures against Maldives and Sri Lanka to enhance its influence in these countries.

4、 Conclusion

India has adopted a hedging strategy against China's "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" initiative, mainly due to concerns about strategic encirclement, military objectives, and political influence. India maintains its position by cooperating with major powers outside the region, laying out key waterways, and providing preferential policies. These measures, although not confrontational in nature, have a negative impact on China's strategic economy and military security environment. India's participation in the QUAD mechanism may hinder the construction of the Maritime Silk Road, pose maritime trade security risks by laying out key islands and straits, and increase China's communication and operational costs by intervening in neighboring countries. China needs to strengthen communication with countries along the Belt and Road, eliminate misunderstandings, resolve conflicts, and smoothly promote the initiative.