Note4Students

Mentor comments:Mr. Jaishankar’s comment was made amid the ongoing South China or West Philippine Sea dispute between Manila and Beijing which witnessed, arguably, its most intense and volatile year in 2023, with frequent tensions at sea and diplomatic friction. A joint statement in 2023 between New Delhi and Manila had also called for China to adhere to the rules-based maritime order and acknowledge the International Court of Justice ruling of 2016 in favour of Manila.

Why in the news?

In March 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, articulated, in a joint statement during his visit to Manila, India’s full support for the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty. 

India’s complex ties with China

• India’s evolving position in South China Sea : India’s evolving position on the South China Sea is closely tied to its complex relationship with China, which includes long-standing border disputes.
• Border Disputes: India and China have a history of border disputes, which intensified following the Galwan Valley incident of 2020. China’s periodic incursions into Indian territory and renaming of Indian villages in Arunachal Pradesh have further strained relations.
• Response to the Galwan Valley incident: India demonstrated its capability for asymmetric deterrence by sending a frontline warship to the South China Sea.
• Disruptive Implications: China’s assertive posture and territorial claims in the South China Sea and along India’s land border have significant implications for regional stability.
• Strategic Engagements: India has increased its strategic engagements, including regular naval exercises and military cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, to underline its commitment to regional security and counter China’s assertive actions.

The policy evolution from India’s Look East Policy to Act East Policy:

• Initially the Look East Policy: The Look East Policy initially emphasized economic integration with Southeast Asia and securing energy resources for India’s growing economy.
• Economic Stakes: Indian state-owned enterprises, such as ONGC Videsh, engaged in oil and gas exploration projects in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zones, indicating India’s economic interests in the region.
• Support for International Law: India’s involvement in maritime resource exploration projects underscored its support for the freedom of exploration and exploitation within the bounds of international law, particularly UNCLOS.
• Shift to Act East Policy: Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, there has been a strategic shift towards the Act East Policy, marking a more active and strategic engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
• Geopolitical Acknowledgment: The policy evolution reflects India’s recognition of the changing geopolitical landscape and the necessity for a proactive and multifaceted foreign policy approach.
• Expanded Focus: The Act East Policy emphasizes not only economic integration but also strategic partnerships and increased security cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
• Capacity Strengthening: India has bolstered its capacities through forward positioning, mission-based deployments, reinforced maritime domain awareness, and the development of deep-water maritime facilities.

The role of ASEAN in the South China sea:

• Central Involvement: ASEAN countries, along with China, are primarily involved in the disputes in the South China Sea, making ASEAN a central player in the region’s dynamics.
• Importance of ASEAN Centrality: India’s Indo-Pacific strategy emphasizes the centrality of ASEAN, recognizing the importance of ASEAN’s position and cooperation in addressing challenges in the South China Sea.
• Imperative for India to support ASEAN’s position: Despite its centrality, differences within ASEAN pose challenges to concerted efforts to address issues related to the South China Sea, making it imperative for India to support and strengthen ASEAN’s position.

Conclusion: India should support the Philippines in upholding sovereignty. Strengthen strategic engagements and military cooperation with Southeast Asian nations. Advocate for a rules-based order in the South China Sea, emphasizing ASEAN centrality and regional stability.