China’s connectivity projects in the Gulf and their implications for Japan and India

The current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is restructuring global energy supply and trade routes. It affects Asian countries the most, due to their dependence on the energy supplies from the Gulf countries. Particularly, the crisis exposes the economic vulnerability of China, Japan, and India, as these countries are experiencing immediate disruptions in the energy supply and trade flows. In the long-term, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz urges China to enhance its influence operations in the Indian Ocean region and diversify its trade routes, considering the importance of stable supply chains for the Chinese economy. This ultimately imposes a security threat to India and Japan, signaling the two nations to boost their maritime security and surveillance on China’s operations in the region.

Additionally to enhancing maritime security, India and Japan are urged to find alternative energy supplies and trade routes, to avoid the long-term risk of the crisis. This Experts’ Take discovers how China’s connectivity projects triggered by the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz affect the security of the Indo-Pacific countries, such as India and Japan. Furthermore, it discusses how India and Japan approach energy, economic, and maritime security, especially through forming bilateral ties. Lastly, it discusses the development of Russia-China relations and its implications for Japan and India.

This Experts’ Take includes insights contributed by two experts – Dr. Satoru Nagao, a Non-resident Fellow at Hudson Institute, and Mr. Sanjay Pulipaka, Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation. Dr. Satoru Nagao discusses the implications of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz on primarily Japan. He also observes the trajectory of China’s connectivity projects, the dynamics of China-Russia relations, and the implications of these developments of Japan’s security in the long-term. Mr. Sanjay Pulipaka focuses on the implications of the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz on India. He emphasizes how the Chinese connectivity projects in the Indian Ocean may threaten India’s security, and what India’s long-term objectives are to avoid the risk. Both experts respond to the same set of questions, offering their unique insights on these critical issues.