Four Indian warships, INS Satpura and INS Sahyadri, the sophisticated fleet support ship, INS Shakti, and the guided missile corvette, INS Kirch, Saturday (May 21) entered the South China Sea. The Indian fleet is “showing the flag” in a region that is “of vital strategic importance to India,” the defence ministry said.
These war ships left Indian shores on May 18 for a two-and-a-half-month operational deployment in the South China Sea and North West Pacific. “In a demonstration of its operational reach and commitment to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral S.V. Bhokare, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, sailed out today,” the defence ministry stated on their departure.
Just two days before the Indian warships departed, the US and India held their first Maritime Security Dialogue to discuss “Asia-Pacific maritime challenges, naval cooperation, and multilateral engagement,” according to the US embassy in New Delhi.
Next month, the Indian ships will participate in joint Malabar naval exercises with US and Japan in Philippines waters near the South China Sea. Japan has previously participated in the annual bilateral US-India Malabar exercise, but this year will be the first time that Japan is taking part as a permanent member. It is a clear indication of a developing trilateral strategic alliance.
The Indian naval ships will make port calls at Cam Rahn Bay in Vietnam, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Sasebo in Japan, Busan in South Korea, Vladivostok in Russia and Port Klang in Malaysia. The defence ministry stated: “The visits to each port will last four days and are aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing inter-operability between the navies. During the stay in harbour, various activities, such as official calls and professional interaction between naval personnel of both the nations, have been planned.”
With the exception of Russia, the US has been strengthening its alliance and military ties with each of the countries named. Washington has been pressing India, along with allies such as Australia and Japan, to enhance its ability to collaborate and operate with other Asian countries in a bid to further consolidate a US-led encirclement of China. At the same time, the US and India have been rapidly expanding naval collaboration as part of their strategic partnership.
Early this month, U.S., and Indian officials began bilateral talks on collaboration in anti-submarine warfare among other things. In April, India and the US agreed “in principle” on a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that would give the US armed forces access to Indian military ports and bases.
China has responded cautiously to the Indian naval deployment. After the Indian vessels set off, an unnamed senior Chinese official told journalists: “When there is some trouble in the South China Sea, India is worried. When Indian ships participate in maritime exercises in the South China Sea, of course China will show concern.” In a veiled criticism of the US, he accused Western powers of using the colonial tactic of “divide and rule” in Asia.
Speaking on Monday May 24, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying was more cautious. “We have noted the relevant report. Concerning the normal military cooperation we have no objection to that. We hope that military cooperation such as this is conducive to peace and regional stability,” she said.
India has dismissed China’s concerns, describing its deployment of warships into South China Sea, including in joint exercises with US and Japan, as “normal” moves that would not affect Prime Minister Mukherjee’s visit to China. However, Joint Secretary Pradeep Kumar Rawat declared: “Indian ship visits have been happening often, it’s quite a normal thing, it isn’t only happening this time.”