China is expanding its global footprint through sea power. There are concerns that Chinese carrier strike forces may start patrolling the Indo-Pacific

A lot of geopolitical changes are taking place in the world as China is trying to flex its muscles to make the world bipolar. There may be nothing wrong with the world being bipolar however China is willing to compromise all established norms of peaceful co-existence and human dignity to stake its claim for the other pole in this so-called bi-polarity. China after having been emboldened at BRICS by its expansion has released a map that is not only unilateral but downright offensive. Xi Jinping's reluctance to attend the G20 summit in Delhi is another sign that China is uncomfortable with the rise of India as a global player. China seems to be reluctant to confer influence on its southern neighbour, one that is the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Xi Jinping's not attending G20 and being reluctant to meet US President Joe Biden is a clear indication that China is uncomfortable with ties between India and the US. As China's economy slows, its geo-political ambition to make the world bipolar has only increased. China has issued a 'ten dash line' map which shows the bulk of the Indo-China Sea under its area of influence and Taiwan as part of 'One China', this clearly shows how desperate China is to expand and assert itself.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam have rejected the map that denotes China's claim to sovereignty including in the South China Sea, India has objected to Arunachal being shown as Chinese territory. China under the garb of the 'One Belt One Road Project' has established Naval bases across multiple nations. It has hence brought forward a strategy of using economic might to further its geo-political aims. This is what China is doing to make the world Bipolar.

Why is China so uncomfortable with a multipolar world and what could be its game plan to make it Bipolar? Is China an outright expansionist power that wants to extend its boundaries? Is China threatened by the growth of India? Is the West using India to counter China? Is the West decoupling from China? Is China resorting to an expansionist policy to boost its sagging economy? Is China using its military power to boost its economy? Is China going to use its military might against Taiwan? Is the Dragon going to breathe fire on the borders with India? These are some of the questions that the diplomats and military leaders across the world must ponder.

Purely from a strategic military perspective, China has increased its presence in the Indo-Pacific region significantly in the last three years. It has enhanced its Naval presence in at least seven ports across five countries. PLA Navy is now the biggest naval force on the planet.

China has a fleet of amphibious vessels which enables it to conduct operations globally. China's amphibious platforms include Yuzhao Type 071 amphibious ship and the Yushen-class Type 075 amphibious assault ship which not only pose a threat to Taiwan but also to India's islands, particularly Nicobar and Andaman islands. China is keeping at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine constantly at sea. The PLA Navy has increased its submarine strength considerably in the last three years and is using it for patrolling the South China Sea.

In its effort to make the world bipolar China is planning to control most of the sea routes for trade. It is either developing ports in other countries or developing capabilities for dedicated passage of its ships with impunity along the trade routes. Control of trade routes and thereby controlling economies of smaller countries in Africa, Asia and South America is China's first step towards global geopolitical domination and apparent bi-polarity of the world. The second step is to keep controlling the manufacturing industry by dominating the semiconductor industry. The third step is to use Russia and its allies to its advantage and thereby emerge as the only viable option to counter American influence on the world.

So, while China may not directly confront India militarily shortly, for it to try and take Taiwan is plausible. India must coordinate and identify areas of economic and military cooperation with the QUAD nations not only to keep its islands safe but also to launch a counter-amphibious operation if warranted. India also needs a major boost in its ship-building capabilities. The recent upgrading of Mazagon Shipyard to boost the production of the Naval fleet is a step in the right direction and many such steps are required. To address the issue of domination of manufacturing by China, India must develop its semiconductor industry at the earliest. We have already been late towards this effort. It is time China realised that expansionism will not give it any dividends and it must co-operate and coexist.

(The writer is an expert on geopolitics and international affairs. The views expressed are personal)