Burma is a key ally of China that could help support Chinese efforts to punch into the Indian Ocean. As I noted:
India will no doubt take notice. They might also want to review the British 1944-45 offensive into Burma during World War II.
Actually, I'm sure the Indians are already well aware of the campaign since their troops probably dominated the operation.
India could gain a tremendous asset to support a land invasion of Burma if they go through with these acquisitions:
India wants to buy another four American Austin Class LPDs. Four years ago, India bought one of these recently retired, 17,000 ton, amphibious ships from the United States. ...
There were twelve Austin class ships built, and they entered service between 1965-71. Four are still in service. The Indians paid $50 million for the former USS Trenton, an LPD that entered service in 1971 and was decommissioned in 2007, and was shortly on its way to India.
This is a large ship, 184 meter (570 feet) long and with a flight deck that can hold half a dozen large helicopters, and support simultaneous landings and takeoffs. The well deck can hold up to 24 landing craft (like AAVs), or four lighter type boats, for transferring cargo and personnel. These ships require a crew of 420, and can carry up to 800 combat troops.
While India's army is arguably the least relevant service in a war with China (assuming India's army can carry out its border defense missions in the face of a Chinese invasion), with China throwing Burma into the equation, India's "excess" ground forces can carry out a mission that would greatly affect a war between China and India.
And five large amphibious warfare ships in Indian service would be of great help in supporting a land invasion of Burma, depriving China of a major jumping off point for pushing into the Indian Ocean.
