This thesis analyses China’s and India’s position in the India Ocean from a classical geopolitical perspective. China had no influence in the Indian Ocean almost a decade ago – China’s recent collaboration with countries in the region and infrastructural development has made India to question China’s strategic implication in the region. As China’s influence grows, India struggles to maintain its relationship with its neighbours and its prominence in the region. To understand the two actors position in the Indian Ocean from a classical geopolitical perspective, this essay aims to answer two research questions; (1) In which ways is China expanding itself in the Indian Ocean and (2) what strategies are India implementing to balance China? This paper argues that China attempts to mitigate its disadvantageous position in the region by building infrastructure and developing diplomatic relationships with countries in the Indian Ocean to achieve strategic position in the Indian Ocean. India another competing actor in the same region devises strategies such as forging alliances, amending its foreign policy to solidify its position as a security provider in the region with the aim to balance China.