India has taken a major step in fortifying its naval capabilities with the construction of INS Varsha, a $3.7 billion underground nuclear submarine base built into a rocky cliff on the country’s eastern coast. Designed to withstand nuclear attacks and provide a hidden docking space for up to 12 nuclear-powered submarines, this base will be a critical part of India’s nuclear deterrence strategy against China.
With China expanding its naval presence in the Indian Ocean, INS Varsha represents India’s commitment to securing its maritime domain. The base is expected to be fully operational by 2026, housing India’s growing fleet of nuclear submarines and providing a second-strike capability in case of conflict.
But India’s naval expansion doesn’t stop here. From modernizing its submarine fleet to strengthening its presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, New Delhi is positioning itself as a formidable maritime power in the region.
In this article, we’ll explore:
✅ The strategic importance of INS Varsha
✅ How India’s submarine fleet compares to China’s
✅ Why the Bay of Bengal is becoming a major geopolitical flashpoint
✅ How India’s “Act East” policy is reshaping the Indo-Pacific balance
Let’s dive into the depths of India’s naval ambitions.
INS Varsha: A Fortress Beneath the Sea
Hidden within the Bay of Bengal’s rugged coastline, INS Varsha is designed to offer India’s nuclear submarines a secure and undisclosed location away from satellite surveillance. The underground base will serve as a critical hub for India’s Strategic Strike Submarines (SSBNs), which will complete the country’s nuclear triad—the ability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea.
Why INS Varsha Matters
🔹 Survivability: The base is built to withstand nuclear attacks, ensuring India’s nuclear deterrence remains intact.
🔹 Secrecy: Underwater tunnels and a sheltered location make it difficult for enemies to track submarine movements.
🔹 Strategic Positioning: Located in the Bay of Bengal, it strengthens India’s ability to counter China’s naval ambitions.
While INS Varsha is a massive investment in India’s maritime security, its submarine fleet is still catching up to China’s.
India vs. China: The Submarine Race
India’s Nuclear Submarine Fleet
🔹 Current Fleet: 2 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs)
🔹 Planned Expansion: 5 more nuclear ballistic missile submarines under development
🔹 Total Submarines: Over a dozen new submarines, including six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs)
China’s Nuclear Submarine Fleet
🔹 Current Fleet: 12 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines
🔹 Total Submarines: Over 70, including diesel-electric attack submarines
Despite being outnumbered, India has a geographical advantage. Operating close to home, Indian submarines have better logistical support, while Chinese nuclear submarines have to travel thousands of kilometers to reach the Indian Ocean.
Additionally, India’s diesel-electric submarines can operate within the range of Chinese submarines, creating a strong defensive perimeter. INS Varsha further enhances India’s ability to launch counterstrikes in case of conflict.
But submarines are just one part of India’s growing naval strategy.
The Bay of Bengal: A New Geopolitical Flashpoint
The Bay of Bengal is the world’s largest coastal body of water and is quickly becoming one of the most strategic. Here’s why:
1. Key Trade Route 🚢
🔹 94,000 ships pass through the Malacca Strait every year
🔹 30% of global trade flows through this region
🔹 23.7 million barrels of oil per day—the world’s biggest oil transport route
2. China’s Biggest Weakness 🛢️
🔹 80% of China’s energy imports pass through the Malacca Strait
🔹 India could block this vital supply route in a conflict
3. A Resource-Rich Region 🌊
🔹 7% of the global fish catch comes from the Bay of Bengal
🔹 Massive natural gas and crude oil reserves beneath the seabed
With so much at stake, China has been working hard to reduce its dependence on the Malacca Strait by building alternative supply routes.
China’s Strategy: Expanding Naval Influence
China is securing its supply chains with three major economic corridors:
1. China-Myanmar Economic Corridor
✅ Pipelines, roads, and railways linking China to the Myanmar coast
✅ Connects to the $7.3 billion Kyaukpyu deep-sea port
2. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
✅ 3,000 km of infrastructure connecting China to Pakistan’s Arabian Sea ports
3. The Middle Corridor
✅ Trade route through Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and Turkey
But these projects cannot fully replace the Malacca Strait, which remains China’s Achilles’ heel. That’s why China is expanding its naval footprint in the Indian Ocean.
🔹 Naval Bases in Djibouti, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Cambodia
🔹 “Continual Presence” Strategy—operating year-round to normalize activity
This growing presence has alarmed India, which is now ramping up its own naval capabilities.
India’s Naval Response: Beyond INS Varsha
While INS Varsha is India’s submarine stronghold, New Delhi is also expanding its reach across the Indian Ocean.
1. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands 🌴
✅ 500+ islands forming a natural defensive barrier
✅ Forward bases just 500 km from the Malacca Strait
✅ New runways for Boeing P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft
2. “Act East” Policy 🌏
✅ Supplying BrahMos cruise missiles to Southeast Asian allies
✅ Military cooperation with the Philippines and Vietnam
✅ Expanding defense ties to counter Chinese influence
3. Building a Blue-Water Navy ⚓
✅ New aircraft carriers and destroyers in development
✅ Growing nuclear-powered submarine fleet
India’s goal is clear: Contain China’s naval expansion and secure its dominance in the Indian Ocean.
Conclusion: India’s Naval Future
With INS Varsha nearing completion and India’s submarine fleet expanding, New Delhi is making a bold statement: India will not be outmaneuvered in its own backyard.
While China has a larger navy, India’s geographic advantages, strategic partnerships, and growing nuclear capabilities will shape the balance of power in the Indian Ocean.
Key Takeaways
✅ INS Varsha strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence
✅ China’s reliance on the Malacca Strait is a major vulnerability
✅ The Bay of Bengal is becoming a key geopolitical battleground
✅ India is expanding its naval presence beyond its borders
The battle for maritime supremacy in the Indian Ocean has only just begun.
FAQ: INS Varsha & India’s Naval Strategy
What is INS Varsha?
A $3.7 billion underground nuclear submarine base that will house India’s growing fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
Why is INS Varsha important?
It ensures India’s nuclear submarines remain hidden, strengthens second-strike capability, and secures the Bay of Bengal.
How does India’s submarine fleet compare to China’s?
India has 2 nuclear submarines (growing to 5), while China has 12. However, India’s geographic advantage makes up for the difference.
How does INS Varsha fit into India’s overall naval strategy?
It forms the backbone of India’s sea denial strategy, ensuring a credible deterrence against China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
What’s next for India’s Navy?
✅ More nuclear submarines
✅ Expanding naval bases in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
✅ Strengthening defense ties with Southeast Asia
India’s naval rise has just begun, and INS Varsha is just the beginning of a much larger strategic shift in the Indo-Pacific. 🚢