The book Maritime Power and China’s Grand Strategy by Vice Admiral Anil Chawla was launched at an event that brought together experts and policymakers to discuss its findings. The book examines how maritime power is central to China’s long-term goal of becoming a global superpower by 2049, the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Drawing from detailed primary sources, it explains how China uses its growing naval capabilities for deterrence, securing vital resources, protecting key sea routes (SLOCs), and expanding its economic influence—especially across the developing world. The book also connects China’s maritime history with its current strategy, showing how the sea has become a key part of its national security planning.

The launch was followed by a roundtable discussion that focused on the strategic implications of China’s maritime rise for India and the Indo-Pacific region. Speakers discussed China’s expanding naval presence, the risks of increasing militarization at sea, and how India and other regional powers might respond. The conversation also explored how China’s maritime strategy fits into larger shifts in the global order, including competition over sea control, deterrence, and influence in Asia.

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