South China Sea in India’s Strategic Gambit: Interests and Policies

[…] From the above statement, it is clear that India’s position on the arbitral tribunal is in accordance with its official position on the South China Sea issue which stands firm in support of “freedom of navigation in the high seas” and ensures that “all countries in the region adhere to the international conventions on the law of the sea in this issue”. Although India’s standing on the verdict does not reflect a position on China but its adherence to the international law surely runs in contrary to Beijing’s strategic interests in the South China Sea. Needless to say, given India’s strategic interests and also according to UNCLOS, which defines South China Sea as a common sea lane of communication, the growing tensions in the region does hold significant ramifications for India. As the South China Sea has become the focal point of US-China rivalry in the Western Pacific, the sea has become linked to wider strategic issues relating to China’s naval strategy and America’s forward presence in the area.4 Of which, China’s assertive behaviour have called for serious strategic calculations by other claimants. In this view, it is the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea that has become a cause of concern for India. That is, although not a direct party to the dispute but as an extra-regional power, the South China Sea issue has become a vital factor in India’s strategic calculations and security agenda. In this context, the paper examines India’s strategic interests in the South China Sea. It also explores India’s policies with regard to the South China Sea and how it impacts India’s Act East Policy. In doing so, the paper will explore the India-Vietnam ties in the backdrop of the South China Sea issue. […