The US Congress has raised alarms over China’s strategic expansion in the Indo-Pacific, likening its tactics to Russia’s actions in Crimea. Senator Chris Coons highlighted that China employs incremental and coercive measures to assert control over the South China Sea, where it has unlawfully established military installations on artificial islands despite international court rulings against such claims. Experts testify that this “gray-zone war” aims to undermine regional stability and weaken Taiwan’s resolve while avoiding direct military confrontation with the United States. This situation underscores the need for a robust response from allies, including India, to counteract China’s aggressive territorial ambitions and maintain the rules-based order in the region.