At the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue in New Delhi, Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar minced no words in calling out China’s growing aggressive and expansionist tendencies in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a powerful statement that speaks volumes about India’s fast-evolving position on matters involving the Indo-Pacific, Admiral Kumar said: “Fragile security situation in South China sea with respect to the growing number of instances of bullying of smaller navies including fisherman by Chinese Militia vessel which poses clear and present danger to good order and discipline at sea.”
That the Indian Navy chief called China out by name is significant and signals New Delhi’s intent to take on Beijing’s aggressive tendencies in the region head-on. This is a marked departure from the way India spoke about the Indo-Pacific and China’s role in it only a few years ago.
The comments by the Indian Navy chief themselves came at an important and strategic forum. India is hosting the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue – and the forum is spearheaded by the Indian Navy. Simultaneously, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be in Indonesia for the ASEAN defence ministers’ summit, and on the sidelines, he is holding talks with the defence ministers of participating nations.
The major focus of such talks will inevitably be China and expanding India’s strategic cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations. All of this comes on the heels of India also hosting the Goa Maritime Conclave 2023, which had been organised by the Indian Navy from October 29 to 31.
The Indian Navy chief’s comment is not an isolated instance of India making its displeasure with China known publicly. Instead, it is a continuation of what is being seen as a policy of openly and unapologetically standing up for the rights of smaller nations in the region, who are obviously being bullied by China.
Today, India is seeking a bigger strategic role for itself in the Indo-Pacific. It is also viewed as the leader of the Global South. That necessitates India to take stronger positions against global entities that act in brazen violation of international law.
While the Goa Maritime Conclave in October sought to project the Indian Navy’s “cooperative engagement” at the strategic-operational level, the IPRD is the “principal manifestation of the Navy’s international engagement at the strategic-level”, addressing ‘holistic’ maritime security issues across the Indo-Pacific. A session dedicated to China, titled “China’s Impact vis-à-vis Maritime Connectivity across the Indo-Pacific” is part of the ongoing conference.
Another session, titled “Maintaining a Rules-based, Safe, and Secure Indo-Pacific” will emphasise the need for countering regional bullies and collectively protecting international maritime law.
Basically, India is beginning to play a role in galvanising opinion in favour of the upkeep of a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. India is projecting both its soft and hard power in the Indo-Pacific and openly signalling its intent to be the bulwark against China in the region. It has also stepped-up military cooperation and weapons transfers to countries in the region, even as the military is said to be working on a strategy in the scenario of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Meanwhile, the second Voice of the Global South summit is also scheduled for Friday. The summit is meant to enable India to voice views of the Global South on issues like geopolitical tensions, energy shortages and the need for reform of international organisations. A great many number of Global South nations are in the Indo-Pacific region, with several of them being victims of China’s bullying tactics and expansionist tendencies.
Keeping in mind the issues of countries in the Indo-Pacific, India is expanding its outreach to developing and underdeveloped nations. New Delhi is no longer a silent observer. Instead, it is among the principal entities challenging China in the Indo-Pacific.
India’s Emergence as a Heavy Counterweight to China in Indo Pacific is Inevitable
India and Indo-Pacific nations share a relationship that is based on mutual respect and a desire to maintain a rules-based order in the region. That very rules-based order, however, has come under threat due to repeated Chinese actions, that no less than threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of entire countries, while imperilling the region’s stability at large too. Therefore, Indo-Pacific nations are finding it increasingly important to engage with India and work collectively to counter Chinese designs in the region.
The most recent development in that direction came in the form of India offering the Philippines’ coast guard seven helicopters, presumably for aiding rescue and relief operations during disasters. The Philippines has already signed up for the Brahmos missile, the fastest cruise missile in the world, in a deal worth $375 million. Vietnam and Indonesia are next in line with major orders expected to be just around the corner.
Among other nations, Malaysia has expressed interest in the Tejas light combat aircraft. India is also in talks with the Philippines to market its home-made fighter jet.
In 2022, India secured the first contract for naval guns with Indonesia. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) secured a contract to deliver 40 mm Teevra naval gun systems to the Indonesian Navy, which marks the first-ever export of the weapon system from India to Indonesia.
Meanwhile, India and ASEAN upgraded their ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022, paving the way for the first-ever ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) which successfully culminated in the South China Sea in May 2023.
In fact, in September, India showcased its military and technological prowess at the 13th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference, making it abundantly clear that New Delhi views countries in the region as markets for its up-and-coming defence manufacturing industry. Indian vendors put on display locally produced weapons and systems before 30 countries, with a variety of drones, artillery guns, unmanned ground vehicles, surveillance gear and armoured personnel carriers.
Whether it be engaging in constructive diplomacy aimed at strengthening regional partnerships or offering advanced weapon systems to Indo Pacific nations, India is leaving no stone unturned to be seen as a principled power in the region that can help counter China. India today is also playing a crucial role in spreading awareness regarding the need to secure the Indo-Pacific. It is influencing public and foreign policy in the region, and more Indo-Pacific nations are joining the club of standing up to China.
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