Why Chinese President Xi Jinping's Myanmar visit may worry India

Chinese President Xi Jinping is heading to Myanmar on Friday, to strengthen Beijing’s influence in the Bay of Bengal, and bring to focus the intersection between the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and India’s Act East policy.

President Xi has made it clear that his visit will focus on the full development of the Kyaukpyu port in the Bay of Bengal, as the gateway to southwest China. The initiative is part of the China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), which is another spur of the BRI in the Indian Ocean.

China is already expanding its outreach in the Arabian Sea by developing Gwadar port under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).