South China Sea and India

The South China Sea (SCS) is a strategically important maritime region in Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. It forms a crucial part of global maritime trade routes and is rich in natural resources such as fisheries, oil, and gas. While India is not a direct territorial claimant in the South China Sea, it has significant strategic, economic, and geopolitical interests in the region. India’s engagement in the SCS reflects its broader Indo-Pacific vision, which emphasises freedom of navigation, rule-based maritime order, and cooperative security.

Geostrategic Significance of the South China Sea

The South China Sea connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans through critical sea lanes, including the Strait of Malacca, which is one of the busiest maritime routes in the world. Nearly one-third of global trade passes through these waters, making the region vital to international commerce and energy transportation.
The area is also a flashpoint of territorial disputes, with overlapping claims among several Southeast Asian countries and China. The militarisation of the region, especially China’s construction of artificial islands and naval installations, has raised global concerns about regional stability, freedom of navigation, and maritime sovereignty.

India’s Interests in the South China Sea

Although geographically distant, India’s interests in the South China Sea are substantial and multi-dimensional. These can be broadly categorised as economic, strategic, and diplomatic.

1. Economic and Trade Interests

• A significant portion of India’s trade and energy imports pass through the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca.
• Ensuring freedom of navigation and open sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) is therefore essential for India’s economic security.
• Indian public sector companies, such as ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), have invested in oil and gas exploration projects in offshore areas of Vietnam within the SCS. These ventures, though contested by China, symbolise India’s commercial and strategic engagement in the region.
• The South China Sea also plays a key role in India’s broader connectivity initiatives such as the Act East Policy and the proposed Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, linking India to East Asia and Russia.

2. Strategic and Security Interests

• India views the South China Sea as part of the extended Indo-Pacific maritime domain, crucial for maintaining regional balance and freedom of navigation.
• Through its maritime doctrine known as SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India advocates for collective security, cooperative development, and respect for international maritime law.
• The Indian Navy regularly conducts joint exercises and coordinated patrols with regional navies such as those of Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines to strengthen maritime cooperation.
• India’s participation in such engagements demonstrates its commitment to a rules-based maritime order and its intention to contribute to regional security and stability.

3. Diplomatic and Political Interests

• India supports the sovereignty and maritime rights of Southeast Asian nations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• It consistently calls for the peaceful resolution of disputes and opposes any unilateral actions that undermine regional stability.
• Strengthening relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forms a key pillar of India’s diplomacy in the region. India’s Act East Policy and participation in regional forums such as the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) underscore this engagement.

India’s Position and Policy Approach

India’s approach to the South China Sea is principled, balanced, and non-confrontational.

• India does not take sides in territorial disputes but insists that all countries must respect international law and maintain freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters.
• It supports the Code of Conduct being negotiated between China and ASEAN to manage disputes peacefully.
• India’s position aligns with its broader foreign policy principles of strategic autonomy, non-aggression, and respect for multilateralism.

India’s Engagement and Activities in the Region

1. Naval Diplomacy:
   • The Indian Navy regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral naval exercises in and around the South China Sea.
   • Exercises such as SIMBEX (Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) and MILAN demonstrate India’s operational reach and its commitment to regional maritime security.
   • In recent years, India has also expanded maritime cooperation with countries like the Philippines and Vietnam, conducting joint naval sails and capacity-building initiatives.
2. Defence Cooperation:
   • India provides training, technical assistance, and defence equipment to several Southeast Asian nations.
   • The transfer of defence technology, joint patrols, and coordinated operations enhance India’s role as a responsible regional partner.
3. Multilateral Frameworks:
   • India’s participation in regional groupings such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)—alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia—demonstrates its commitment to maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
   • These engagements allow India to coordinate with like-minded countries on maritime security and rule-based governance.

Strategic Importance for India

The South China Sea holds strategic significance for India in multiple ways:

• Energy Security: Protecting access to energy resources and shipping routes vital for India’s growing economy.
• Regional Influence: Expanding India’s presence eastward to counterbalance China’s growing maritime influence.
• Maritime Connectivity: Strengthening linkages between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean through partnerships in Southeast Asia.
• Global Standing: Enhancing India’s reputation as a major Indo-Pacific power committed to upholding international order.

Challenges and Constraints

Despite its growing role, India faces several challenges in pursuing its interests in the South China Sea:

1. China’s Sensitivity:
   • China perceives India’s engagement in the region as part of a containment strategy, leading to diplomatic friction.
   • India must balance its maritime ambitions with the need to manage its complex relationship with China.
2. Non-Claimant Status:
   • As India is not a territorial claimant, its influence in dispute resolution is limited to diplomatic advocacy and partnerships.
3. Regional Instability:
   • Escalating tensions between China and ASEAN claimants pose risks to maritime trade and regional peace, which could affect India’s economic interests.
4. Resource Constraints:
   • India’s naval resources are stretched across vast maritime zones, limiting sustained presence in the South China Sea.

Recent Developments

• India has deepened maritime cooperation with the Philippines, conducting joint naval drills within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone to reinforce shared commitment to open seas.
• The partnership between India and ASEAN countries continues to expand, with greater collaboration in maritime domain awareness, capacity building, and defence technology.
• Indian leaders have reiterated the principle that the Indo-Pacific must remain free of expansionism, focusing on development, cooperation, and mutual respect among nations.