India Heading for South China Sea

This paper analyses the participation of the Republic of India, as a significant global power, in the South China Sea conflict. So far, the internationalisation of the latter continues, having reached far beyond the framework of the relationships solely between the contenders. The author traces India’s policy on the issue of the South China Sea throughout Narendra Modi’s premiership (from 2014 to current stage) and reminds of India’s earlier activities in this direction as well. The key features of Indian participation in the conflict are displayed: indirect support to China’s opponents in Southeast Asia by means of increasing defence cooperation with them; upgrading the Navy presence in the South China Sea to the level of being nearly permanent; more open and straightforward rhetoric of the official statements; and developing partnerships with the USA and Quad as a potential tool for China’s containment. India’s interests in the South China Sea are defined as serious and long-term, taking into account the fact that India does not follow the USA or Quad, but behaves as an independent player, with its own strategy and justifications, based on fundamental economic and security objectives.

India, China, ASEAN, South China Sea, Southeast Asia