US Admiral Daryl Caudle expressed significant concern regarding China’s rapid naval expansion, particularly its commissioning of the *Fujian* aircraft carrier and advancements in amphibious capabilities. As the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) emerges as the world’s largest by hull count, its enhanced power projection poses a direct challenge in the Indo-Pacific, especially affecting India’s maritime strategy. This situation underscores the urgency for India to expedite the acquisition of its third aircraft carrier and strengthen its indigenous submarine fleet, while also enhancing maritime domain awareness through collaboration with the US and QUAD nations. Ultimately, this development highlights the critical need for proactive military modernization to safeguard India’s maritime interests amid increasing Chinese geopolitical assertiveness.