India takes giant step to counter Chinese influence in Indian Ocean India has swiftly taken a giant step in countering Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean, with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar signing two defence pacts with Maldives and Mauritius | 24 Feb 2021 2:45 AM GMT NEW DELHI: India has swiftly taken a giant step in countering Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean, with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar signing two defence pacts with Maldives and Mauritius—each with a strong maritime dimension. Jaishankar's pre-emptive strike follows Chinese inroads in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Hoping to lower its dependence on the Malacca Straits, which are dominated by the Americans, the Chinese have been making feverish efforts to secure the region's ports. Besides, Beijing is trying to kill two birds with one stone. In trying to assert in the IOR, the Chinese simultaneously want to the undermine the regional influence of India, another rising power.