Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The South China Sea (SCS) is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, holding immense geopolitical significance due to overlapping territorial claims by multiple countries – China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. These claims are primarily based on historical rights and interpretations of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India, though not a claimant state, has substantial and growing interests in the SCS, driven by its economic ties, maritime security concerns, and strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region. Recent escalations in tensions, including increased Chinese assertiveness and militarization of artificial islands, necessitate a comprehensive understanding of India’s stakes in this crucial waterway.
Economic Interests
India’s economic interests in the SCS are primarily linked to trade and energy security. Approximately US$200 billion worth of Indian trade passes through the SCS annually (as of 2023, based on Ministry of Commerce and Industry data). This includes crucial imports of raw materials, finished goods, and energy resources.
- Trade Routes: The SCS is a vital shipping lane connecting India to East Asian economies like Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries. Disruption to these routes due to conflict or piracy would significantly impact India’s economic growth.
- Energy Security: India imports a significant portion of its oil and natural gas from the Middle East and Africa, much of which transits through the SCS. Ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies is paramount for India’s economic stability.
- Resource Exploration: While India doesn’t directly participate in resource exploration within the disputed areas, it has expressed interest in collaborating with Vietnam in offshore oil and gas exploration, particularly in blocks that fall within Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) but are claimed by China.
Maritime Interests
India’s maritime interests in the SCS are centered around ensuring freedom of navigation, maintaining the security of sea lanes of communication (SLOCs), and upholding international law, particularly UNCLOS.
- Freedom of Navigation: India strongly advocates for freedom of navigation and overflight in the SCS, consistent with UNCLOS. Any restriction on these freedoms would be detrimental to India’s trade and maritime security.
- Security of SLOCs: The SCS is a critical SLOC for India. India’s Navy actively patrols the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and collaborates with other navies to ensure the security of these vital waterways.
- Anti-Piracy Efforts: Although piracy is not currently a major threat in the SCS, India remains vigilant and participates in international efforts to combat piracy and maritime crime.
- Maintaining a Rules-Based Order: India supports a rules-based international order and opposes unilateral actions that undermine international law and norms in the SCS.
Strategic Interests
India’s strategic interests in the SCS are driven by its desire to balance China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region, maintain regional stability, and protect its own security interests.
- Balancing China’s Influence: China’s increasing assertiveness in the SCS, including its militarization of artificial islands and its disregard for the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, poses a challenge to India’s strategic interests. India seeks to counterbalance China’s influence by strengthening its relationships with other countries in the region, such as Vietnam, Japan, and Australia.
- Regional Security: India views the SCS dispute as a potential flashpoint for conflict. It supports peaceful resolution of the dispute through dialogue and diplomacy, consistent with international law.
- Indo-Pacific Vision: India’s Indo-Pacific vision emphasizes a free, open, and inclusive region based on the principles of sovereignty, equality, and mutual respect. Maintaining stability in the SCS is crucial for realizing this vision.
- Strengthening Quad Cooperation: India’s participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – with the US, Japan, and Australia – is partly motivated by shared concerns about China’s actions in the SCS and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
| Interest | Specific Concerns | India’s Response |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | Disruption of trade routes, energy supply vulnerability | Diversification of trade partners, investment in alternative energy sources |
| Maritime | Restriction of freedom of navigation, piracy | Naval patrols, collaboration with regional navies, advocacy for UNCLOS |
| Strategic | China’s growing influence, regional instability | Strengthening partnerships (Quad), diplomatic engagement, support for a rules-based order |
Conclusion
India’s interests in the South China Sea are multifaceted and deeply intertwined with its economic prosperity, maritime security, and strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific. While not a direct claimant, India has a significant stake in maintaining stability, upholding international law, and ensuring freedom of navigation in this vital waterway. A proactive and balanced approach, involving strengthening partnerships, promoting dialogue, and enhancing its own capabilities, will be crucial for India to effectively safeguard its interests in the SCS and contribute to a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The evolving geopolitical landscape necessitates continuous monitoring and adaptation of India’s strategy.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.