The Indian Defence Minister's visit to Maldives in July 2006 to hand over INS Tilanchang, a 260-ton, fast-attack craft and other supplies was an astute diplomatic response to China's plan of establishing a full-fledged naval base in Marao, a Maldivian island, by 2010. New Delhi is looking forward to restrain Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region by sticking to its post Cold War policy of engagement. 'Balancing' through 'engagement' seems to be its current strategy to maintain a balance of power in this region.
