Indian footprints in the South China Sea
- By Sumantra Maitra
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 18, 2016
This recent development proves that India has inserted itself smartly into the regional fray, without being a direct party to any confrontation with China. India is looking for alternatives in this game of power balancing without being directly involved with the United States, and this gave them a first glimpse of opportunity. The Indian weapons system is the first one to use Eastern bloc weaponry with the Western weapons primarily used by the Philippines, which will test the interoperability. It will also give a chance to see the ships in tested and volatile waters hunting submarines and providing rapid air lift capability.
But more importantly, it will prove that the Indian government is trying to keep a few cards hidden from sight. India doesn't want to have direct confrontation with China and is also wary of forming a block with U.S., Australia, Japan etc. against balancing China. But Indian help to Vietnam and Philippines gives a glimpse of the thought processes of Indian policy makers on how to approach the issue of power balancing in Asia. India wants to play a traditional offshore balancer role here.
Months earlier, Indian navy and policy makers in New Delhi were brainstorming on how to face current challenges without being a direct party between China and U.S. It seems that for all practical purposes, they have found a policy: to beef up smaller littoral states in areas which are of vital interest to Chinese military. It's a classic Mahanian naval strategy. The only difference is India has areas of vital interest too, and China might do the same if needed.
Sumantra Maitra is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:
http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/SumantraMaitra.htm
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