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发帖数: 22479 | 1 India to deploy naval task force into South China Sea and beyond
By CNN - 5 days ago
India is sending a task force of four warships into the South China Sea on a
two-month deployment that will include exercises with Quad partners the
United States, Japan and Australia, India's Defence Ministry has announced.
The warships will depart India early this month, the Defence Ministry
statement said, without giving a specific departure date.
The task force, which includes a guided-missile destroyer, guided missile
frigate, anti-submarine corvette and guided-missile corvette, will
participate in a series of exercises during the two-month deployment,
including the Malabar 2021 naval exercises with US, Japanese and Australian
forces.
READ MORE: US warns China it stands behind South China Sea ruling,
Philippine defence
This picture taken on June 4, 2013 shows Indian Navy's destroyer D55
Ranvijay docking at Tien Sa port in the central coastal city of Da Nang. (
AFP via Getty Images)
In other bilateral exercises during the deployment, the Indian warships will
work with naval units from South China Sea littoral states, including
Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Defence Ministry said.
"These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the
Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and
commitment towards Freedom of Navigation at sea," the Indian statement said.
The South China Sea has become a hotbed of naval activity in recent weeks.
Last week, a British aircraft carrier strike group transited the 1.3 million
square mile waterway, while an American surface action group, and forces
from China's People's Liberation Army staged exercises in it.
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researchers say in new report
Australian, US and Japanese warships sail together in the South China Sea. (
Supplied)
Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory,
turning numerous obscure reefs and sandbars throughout the waterway into
man-made artificial islands heavily fortified with missiles, runways and
weapons systems.
Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International
Studies in Singapore specialising in naval affairs, said the Indian
deployment, a version of which he said is done annually, is "India's most
visible 'show of flag' naval presence east of the Malacca Strait."
A gun is mounted on the Indian Navy's newly-commisioned warship INS Shivalik
in Mumbai on April 29, 2010. INS Shivalik, the first of the three new '
stealth' frigates for the Indian Navy, was commissioned at the city's Naval
Dockyard by Defence Minister A.K. Antony. The Shivalik is equipped to
protect against nuclear, biological and chemical attacks. AFP PHOTO/ Punit
PARANJPE (Photo credit should read PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images) (AFP
via Getty Images)
But Koh said he doesn't expect the Indian ships to be confrontational, or
undertake any freedom-of-navigation operations near Chinese-claimed islands
in the South China Sea.
"The mere presence of the ships in the South China Sea, even if outside the
12 (nautical mile) limit of each Chinese-occupied feature, would have
sufficed to meet New Delhi's strategic objectives of signalling its
intention to remain engaged in the Western Pacific," Koh said.
Likely reaction
China regularly decries the presence of foreign naval forces in the South
China Sea. Prior to the recent deployment of Britain's Carrier Strike Group,
Chinese state-media accused the United Kingdom of attempting to relive the
"glory days of the British Empire" while trying to stir up trouble at the
behest of the US.
Since taking office, US President Joe Biden has placed renewed focus on Asia
, positioning it as the foundation of his foreign policy agenda. The Biden
administration has welcomed the presence of democratic allies and partners
in the region, amid efforts to counter Beijing.
READ MORE: Australian warships 'to hold naval drills with UK strike group'
in signal to China
Speaking during a visit to Singapore last month, US Defence Secretary Lloyd
Austin underscored the importance of increased cooperation. "I'm especially
encouraged to see our friends building stronger security ties with one
another, further reinforcing the array of partnerships that keeps aggression
at bay," he said.
India's statement on the four-warship deployment echoed the US defence chief.
"Besides regular port calls, the task group will operate in conjunction with
friendly navies, to build military relations and develop interoperability
in the conduct of maritime operations," it said.
220 Chinese vessels are seen moored at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea.
220 Chinese vessels are seen moored at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea. (
Philippine Coast Guard)
Indian relations with China cratered last year after a deadly clash between
ground troops from the two neighbours over disputed territory in the
Himalayas.
At least 20 Indian and four Chinese troops were killed in hand-to-hand
combat.
Since the incident, India has looked to reaffirm links with the Quad, an
informal security relationship between the US, Japan, India and Australia.
After a virtual summit of the leaders of those countries in March, the four
authored an opinion column in the Washington Post.
The alliance said it is trying to "ensure that the Indo-Pacific is
accessible and dynamic, governed by international law and bedrock principles
such as freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of disputes, and that
all countries are able to make their own political choices, free from
coercion," it said.
Monday's Indian statement touched on those themes.
"The deployment of the Indian Navy ships seeks to underscore the operational
reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards
ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds
between India and countries of the Indo Pacific," it said. |
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