Tension in the South China Sea region reached an all time high soon after the meeting between US President Barack Obama and leaders of Southeast Asian nations in California in February. China deployed two batteries of eight missile launchers and a radar system on Woody, also known as Yongxing Island in the Paracels. While Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attempted to justify the move, saying the deployment was in self-defence, other littoral countries staking their claims in the South China Sea, along with external powers like the US and Japan, accused China of threatening peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and flight in the region. Against this backdrop, sections of analysts have begun to argue that South China Sea might emerge as a new theater of war in the 21st century, if collective efforts were not taken to address the issue.
Historically, South China Sea has been in dispute between China and eight other countries in this region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei. However, the situation has never been so alarming as it has now become in recent times. Of course, there are many reasons for this change in this part of the world. First, ever since China emerged as a major Asian economic and military power, it has focused on strengthening its military capabilities in the region with the aim of asserting its sovereignty over the waters of the South China Sea. Second, Beijing has purposefully followed the policy of not allowing other regional littoral countries to have free movement in South China Sea.
In turn, tensions between China and other countries in this region have significantly increased. Third, as South China Sea has huge oil and gas reservoirs and also serves as the most critical shipping route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, China wants to establish itself as the undisputed power in the region. This is precisely the reason why Beijing frequently questions the presence of external powers like the US and others in this region, terming the South China Sea as its ‘core interest.’
On the other hand, mindful of Beijing’s designs, the US has taken calibrated efforts to protect the region from being dominated by China. In fact, one of the motives behind President Obama’s policy of pivot to Asia is to ensure freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. This further became more apparent at the two-day summit between US and Southeast Asian leaders in California in February. Obama reaffirmed that Washington would help its allies strengthen their maritime capabilities in the region to counter China’s expanding claims. US military officials have also made it clear that they will increase the number and scope of ‘freedom of navigation operational patrols’ in the South China Sea. At the same time, Washington is also seeking help from Asian powers like Japan and India in maintaining peace and security in the region.
Certainly, the recent tension in the South China Sea has not gone unnoticed in India for various reasons. First, as about 50 per cent of Indian trade transits through the South China Sea, it is very important for India to ensure that there is absolute freedom of navigation in this part of the world. Secondly, while India’s relations with the ASEAN have improved significantly since the 1990s, it has assumed added significance under the Modi government’s ‘Act East’ Policy in view of the fact that India views ASEAN countries — some of them involved in the South China dispute — as playing a crucial role in its economic development.
Thirdly, India has become one of the few external forces which have been involved in oil and gas exploration in the region. Indian companies have invested in oil and gas, steel, spices, pharmaceuticals, edible oil, sugar, plastics, coffee, consumer products and other sectors. Thus, New Delhi wishes to see peace and security in this region so that it can meet its energy needs with South China Sea oil and gas considerably. Fourth, India in the past chose to remain inactive on the South China issue.
However, China’s aggressive posturing against the activities of the Indian State-owned oil company in the South China Sea has forced a rethink. China called Indian activities illegal and in July 2011, a Chinese radio massage warned an Indian warship to keep out of ‘Chinese waters.’ Fifth, as China is trying to encircle India by deepening its foothold in South Asia and in the Indian Ocean, the unrest in the South China has provided India an opportunity to enlarge its presence in this region. It is in light of these factors that in the ASEAN Regional Forum Summit in Phnom Penh in 2012, India emphasised its strong support for freedom of navigation and access to resources such as fisheries and gas in accordance with principles of international law. India’s 2015 Maritime Security Strategy document has also declared the South China Sea ‘secondary zone of interest’ for the Indian Navy. At the same time, India has joined hands with the US on this issue. During President Obama’s visit in 2015, he and Prime Minister Modi affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation. India and the US also unveiled a ‘joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region’ in January 2015 to ensure ‘freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea.’
India has also launched a trilateral dialogue with Japan, Australia and the US. Reports have also suggested that India and the US are seriously mulling over the possibility of jointly conducting patrols in the South China Sea. The joint statement issued during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit last December also mentioned South China Sea.
In fact, the joint statement stated that in view of “critical importance of the sea lanes of communications in the South China Sea for regional energy security and trade and commerce which underpins continued peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific, the two Prime Ministers noting the developments in the South China Sea called upon all states to avoid unilateral actions that could lead to tensions in the region.” Certainly, the affirmation by India and Japan that the two have shared interests in the disputed South China Sea region is aimed at countering China’s claim that South China Sea exclusively belongs to it.
Indeed, the simmering stand-off in the South China Sea has made one thing clear: despite China’s claims, its rise is not going to be peaceful. It is therefore necessary for global powers to maintain balance of power against China to ensure peace and security in the South China Sea under any circumstances, while efforts should also be taken to persuade Beijing to find a peaceful means to solve the dispute. India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi also visualises a special role for itself in the South China Sea.
This is evident from India’s explicitly expressed concerns over China’s conduct in this region. At the same time, for the first time, India has discussed the issue of the South China Sea with Japan and the US. Hence, if the situation demands, India would not feel shy of taking bold steps in protecting its interests in the South China Sea.
The author is ICSSR Doctoral Fellow, UGC Centre for Southern Asia Studies,Pondicherry University.
Email: sumitjha83@gmail.com