Washington, Feb 12 (NationPress) Highlighting the crucial role of the US naval support facility at Diego Garcia, both lawmakers and a high-ranking State Department official have emphasized that protecting the sea lanes of the Indian Ocean is essential for countering China’s increasing dominance in the Indo-Pacific.

During a House subcommittee session focused on South and Central Asia, Congressman Bill Huizenga remarked: “The Indian Ocean is among the most heavily trafficked maritime corridors globally, serving as the lifeline for international trade and energy, with over 80 percent of the world’s seaborne oil trade passing through it.”

“Protecting these vital sea lanes through bolstered naval collaboration with allies will effectively counter China's expanding reach and mitigate its harmful activities in the region,” he added.

Huizenga highlighted the significance of the US naval base in the area. “I recognize the critical nature of our naval base on Diego Garcia, situated centrally in the Indian Ocean,” he stated, further asserting that “maintaining America's military strength in this region will deter Chinese intimidation, curb piracy, and guarantee the uninterrupted flow of trade for both the US and the world.”

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Paul Kapur, supported this strategic perspective, positioning the Indian Ocean as a focal point of overarching Indo-Pacific policy.

“The Indian Ocean is, in fact, the 'Indo' component of the Indo-Pacific,” Kapur explained. “One of the key insights of this term is that it acknowledges the need for a comprehensive approach to the region.”

“When considering the Pacific, it cannot be viewed in isolation; it connects directly to the Indian Ocean and even extends to the eastern coast of Africa,” he added.

Regarding Diego Garcia specifically, Kapur commented: “Diego Garcia is located in the heart of the ocean and serves as a crucial outpost for projecting air power.”

“The President has acknowledged it as an essential asset,” he stated.

Lawmakers also expressed concerns regarding China’s increasing infrastructure development in Indian Ocean nations.

Kapur cautioned that smaller regional nations could exert a significant influence on trade and energy dynamics due to their geographical positions, emphasizing the need for strategic independence.

“It is vital for these countries to retain their autonomy and not fall victim to coercion from China through predatory financial practices,” he remarked.

Referring to Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port, he indicated: “Consider Sri Lanka and its Hambantota Port; they are bound by a 99-year lease. Those are the types of threats posed by Chinese development initiatives.”

When inquired about Chinese engagements in the Maldives, Kapur acknowledged: “There has been some Chinese investment there,” adding that Beijing is indeed “showing interest.”

He asserted that Washington must present viable alternatives.

“We need to offer alternatives that are high-quality, transparent, and non-coercive,” Kapur stated, highlighting US financing strategies, technology, and private sector involvement.

The discussions underscored a bipartisan apprehension regarding China’s attempts to enhance its economic and strategic influence across vital maritime chokepoints in the Indian Ocean, a region essential for global energy supplies and trade routes.

Diego Garcia, located in the British Indian Ocean Territory, has functioned for decades as a pivotal US logistics and air operations center, facilitating missions throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The sea lanes of the Indian Ocean connect energy suppliers in the Gulf to markets in Asia and beyond, making control and access to maritime infrastructure critical to the strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing.