Chinese naval influence in the Indian Ocean

Is Chinese naval influence in the Indian Ocean a good long-term idea or a mistake?

It risks antagonizing India, which has its own strong reasons to operate in the region, and therefore sharpens competition.

Both China and India have legitimate strategic reasons to operate in the Indian Ocean. China can point to trade protection and anti-piracy missions, while India cannot avoid treating the ocean around it as a central security theatre. Existing border tensions make a larger Chinese naval presence politically charged and likely to sharpen Indian concern. Expanding there therefore means accepting a competitive maritime relationship instead of gaining uncontested influence at no cost.