It sounds like a chapter from an ancient war manual, a cold-blooded strategy whispered by generals in dimly lit tents. “Control, encircle, annex.” Yet, this three-word doctrine is not a relic of the past. It is the unnervingly precise playbook for 21st-century expansionism, executed not with cavalry charges, but with concrete, cash, and calculated cartography. For India, this isn’t a distant theory; it is the strategic reality unfolding on our borders and in our maritime backyard.
What is the ‘Control, Encircle, Annex’ Doctrine?
The architect of this modern strategy is, without question, China. The playbook’s first chapter, ‘Control’, is its most insidious. This is not about overt military domination but the quiet creep of economic and political influence.
Phase 1: Control Through Debt and Influence
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), sold as a grand vision for global connectivity, often doubles as a vehicle for strategic acquisition. Nations in need of infrastructure are offered seemingly generous loans, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of debt. When the bill comes due and cannot be paid, strategic assets are ceded.
The most glaring example remains Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, handed over to a Chinese firm on a 99-year lease—a modern-day colonial concession disguised as a commercial agreement. This is control by contract, dominance by debt.
Phase 2: Encircle with a ‘String of Pearls‘
Once control is established over key strategic nodes, the second phase, ‘Encircle’, begins. For New Delhi, this has long been known as the “String of Pearls“ strategy. A look at the map reveals the pattern:
* A Chinese-controlled port in Gwadar, Pakistan, provides access to the Arabian Sea, flanking India’s western coast.
* The port at Hambantota in Sri Lanka sits astride vital sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.
* A presence in Kyaukpyu in Myanmar and listening posts in the Coco Islands complete the arc.
Each “pearl” is a potential naval outpost, a logistical hub, and a pressure point. This strategy is designed to constrict India’s strategic space and limit its power projection capabilities through encirclement via ports, pipelines, and economic corridors.
Phase 3: Annex Through ‘Salami-Slicing’
The final, most audacious act is to ‘Annex’. This is where the strategy moves from influence to outright acquisition of territory. In the South China Sea, this has manifested as the creation of artificial islands, turning submerged reefs into militarised fortresses.
For India, the threat is more immediate and terrestrial. Along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), we have witnessed a relentless strategy of “salami-slicing.” China nibbles away at territory, building roads and villages in disputed zones to incrementally shift the status quo. Each small incursion is calibrated to be just below the threshold of provoking a full-scale war, but over time, these small slices add up to a significant de facto annexation. The deadly confrontation in the Galwan Valley was a violent punctuation mark in this long-term strategy.
How India is Countering the Playbook
So, how does India respond to this multi-pronged assault? The answer cannot be one-dimensional. New Delhi is actively countering the control, encircle, annex playbook by:
- Forging Alliances: Strengthening partnerships like the Quad (India, US, Japan, Australia) to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- Boosting Infrastructure: Rapidly scaling up its border infrastructure for swifter military mobilisation.
- Economic Self-Reliance: Promoting policies like “Atmanirbhar Bharat” to reduce critical dependencies on China.
- Regional Diplomacy: Offering neighbours a more transparent and sustainable alternative through initiatives like ‘Neighborhood First’ and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
The era of grand, declared wars may be fading, but the contest for power is more intense than ever. Recognizing the “Control, encircle, annex” playbook is the first step. Countering it with vigilance, strength, and strategic partnerships is India’s only way forward.
