India and China have been jostling for influence across the Indian Ocean for several years, and the COVID-19 crisis may cause this competition to only intensify.

Regional responses by both India and China have so far largely focused on medical aid. But it will soon shift to financial assistance, where India will be at a great disadvantage to Beijing. India may find that claiming the mantle of net security provider to the region is an expensive business.

In his latest public lecture for the South Asia Democratic Forum, Senior Research Fellow Dr David Brewster explores these complex issues.

Watch it in full here.