The South China Sea, which spans an area primarily south and east of mainland China, is an extremely important waterway. It is the world’s busiest shipping lane and is so important to the global economy that more than $3 trillion of shipping passes through the area annually. It is also abundant in natural resources such as oil and gas and minerals, so the stakes to control it are high.
For India, the South China Sea is of great strategic importance. India has lengthy history of strong trading and cultural ties with many of the Southeast Asian countries located in or near the South China Sea, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines. India enjoys a cordial relationship with most of these countries and has built up trade and defense partnerships with some of these.
The South China Sea is a crucial maritime link between Southeast Asia and India and by extension, the rest of the world. It is through this sea route that Indian energy imports and exports, as well as other goods, pass. India also considers the area to be of strategic importance, as it contains some of the busiest shipping channels in the world.
In addition, India has its own legitimate claim to a region of the sea known as the Nine-Dash-Line. This region is believed to have significant oil and gas reserves. However, China claims the region and has been increasingly aggressive in its approach towards India’s presence in the South China Sea. As such, India must remain vigilant and protect its maritime rights.
India’s claims to the South China Sea are based on the policy of keeping sea lanes open for international navigation and commerce. India also believes that any territorial claims in the South China Sea must be based on international law and founded on historical evidence. For example, India supports Vietnam’s claims to the Paracel Islands, which were long recognized by the Vietnamese government even before China’s appearance in the region.
The South China Sea dispute also has a direct impact on India’s own security, as India is part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), along with the United States, Japan and Australia. The group is seen as an effective way to check China’s growing aggression. India and China have experienced several clashes in recent years, and the South China Sea dispute is another potential source of tension.
India has stepped up its military presence in the region to counter China’s aggression. This includes deploying vessels, submarines and drones. The Indian Navy has also increased its activities, especially in Task Force-21 (TF-21), a multi-national naval task force. This task force was formed with the aim of protecting maritime rights and keeping shipping channels open.
India is also increasing its diplomatic presence in the region, engaging in visits and dialogues with many nations like Indonesia and the Philippines. India is also taking part in multilateral exercises such as the Malabar Exercise with the US and Japan, which also includes India’s neighbors like Australia and Singapore.
India’s Relationship with China in South China Sea
The South China Sea is of great significance to India given its trade links, security interests and the potential for resource extraction. As such, it is essential for India to maintain a cordial relationship with China. India and China have been gradually improving relations since their diplomatic ties first began in 1950, and both sides have maintained a commitment to resolving the disputes of the South China Sea cooperatively and peacefully.
India is also part of the South China Sea Arbitration Tribunal, which was established in 2013 to resolve disputes related to the sea. The arbitration helps to ensure that the rules of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are respected within the South China Sea. This has been beneficial, as it enables India to make its presence known as an advocate of a safe and secure region.
India has also conducted joint military exercises with China in the past. For instance, in 2018, India and China participated in a joint exercise in the South China Sea, which was aimed at enhancing the cooperative relationship between both countries in the maritime domain. This demonstrates the positive steps being taken by India and China to ensure a safe and secure South China Sea.
India has also recently replaced Japan as the largest oil importer from the Middle East, another region in the South China Sea. This could be a potential game-changer for India, as it gives the country better bargaining power to influence its volatile neighbours. Moreover, Indian private companies have also increased their presence in the South China Sea, with some major investments being undertaken in recent years in the development of ports and other infrastructure.
The South China Sea offers a great opportunity for India to play a greater role in the Indo-Pacific region by becoming a major player in the region’s economic evolution. In order to do so, India must work in partnership with its neighbours and other major world powers such as the US, Japan and ASEAN nations. In addition, India must continue to work with China to ensure stability in the South China Sea, which is of vital importance not just to India but to the entire world.
Global Impact of India’s Involvement in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is a critical waterway for countries all around the world, and India’s involvement in the region is of great importance. India’s involvement allows for the balance of power to be maintained, as India is committed to upholding the principle of freedom of navigation. This is beneficial for all maritime nations, as it ensures that trade is unimpeded and that India will not be a destabilizing influence on the region.
In addition, India’s involvement increases the number of major powers in the region. This ensures that the waterway remains a contested area, as the presence of many powers diminishes the likelihood of one power achieving dominance. India’s presence also encourages dialogue, which is essential in order to resolve disputes peacefully and cooperatively.
India’s involvement in the South China Sea also serves as a message of deterrence to countries that might want to militarize the region or commit any other kind of aggression. India’s presence serves as a reminder that the South China Sea is not a region of one power and will remain an area of peaceful co-existence.
The South China Sea is also important for India’s own economic prospects. As previously mentioned, India’s involvement in the region has allowed for increased trade and investment, allowing India to become a more important player in the global marketplace. Moreover, the South China Sea is a potential source of natural resources for India, as the potential for oil and gas extraction is high in the region.
Conclusion
India’s involvement in the South China Sea is of great importance. It is a crucial waterway and a potential source of natural resources for India. Moreover, India’s presence helps to maintain the balance of power and encourages dialogue between major powers in the region. India’s involvement also serves as a deterrence to any countries that might want to cause conflict in the region. As such, it is essential for India to maintain a presence in the South China Sea in order to ensure the safety and security of the region.
