In the past decade, China has rapidly expanded into the Indian Ocean region following an integrated strategy of economic development and military expansion. China has financed and built a series of commercial ports in the Indian Ocean in what has been dubbed a 'String of Pearls' that extends from China through Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, and Pakistan. While China maintains that the ports are strictly commercial developments, India fears that the ports have potential military application, thus sparking concern that China is slowly attempting to encircle them. As China continues to expand and Indian fears continue to grow, the region is trending towards instability. As globalization increases, the United States is in the position to act as an intermediary between India and China. Therefore, the United States must decipher whether China is expanding peacefully or if they have hegemonic intentions. America can use Sri Lanka as a litmus test for Chinese intentions, and by increasing engagement with Sri Lanka during this transitional period in Sri Lankan history the United States can maintain influence in the Indian Ocean region. This paper examines commentary and studies from the United States, Sri Lanka, India, China, and the world community in order to analyze differing perspectives, and offers potential actions for PACOM and PACFLT to take to increase engagement with Sri Lanka and affect a long term strategic partnership in order to maintain Indian Ocean regional stability.
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