They lost all their political leverage with Myanmar, Nepal and Bangladesh, which has traditionally been seen as Indian strongholds. Myanmar is especially noteworthy, because China has been successful in diverting their border conflicts and shift groups like the Arakan Army into fucking with Indian territories.
China needs the Rakhine region. There is a deep water port near Kyaukpyu that gives them access to the Indian Ocean. They are building a high speed rail to fully utilise and militarise this port. Additionally they have a pipeline for gas and oil.
All of India's neighbours are falling under Chinese influence and military presence (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar). The ONLY country under Indian influence is Bhutan.
All of Indian eastern territories are in danger now, Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a confrontation since the last year. Thousands of men, tanks, and air power on both sides is on standby in Ladakh area.
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China is also trying to influence Thailand into building a canal across the Isthmus of Kra so they can diversify their trade routes. If the military junta that calls the shots there goes through with this, then they are extremely stupid because Chinese investment comes with strings attached. And Thailand has an Islamic insurgency that Beijing can exploit if they make trouble.
Currently India and their would-be allies field the naval advantage despite China's rapidly growing navy due to the fact the Chinese navy could somewhat easily be contained inside its regional waters due to the geography of the region. But if they were to take hold of the countries previously mentioned, and of course their ports, the balance of power in the sea would shift dramatically and even naval invasion of India would become available.
Not to mention currently China's only border with India is an entirely mountainous one and India's troops are all mountain specialists whereas the Chinese army is not by any means, so they would likely want to encircle India before mounting an attack so that they could leverage their larger army by attacking across multiple fronts.