- The United States and India are planning to hold joint naval operations in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea
- The move is likely to anger China, India’s economic rival in Asia
- Both countries have expressed support to freedom of navigation in international waters
In what could be seen as the biggest challenge yet to China’s claim of absolute sovereignty over disputed waters, the United States and India is seriously considering plan to hold a joint maritime patrol in the West Philippines Sea/ South China Sea.
A US Defense official told Reuters that both countries have held talks about conducting naval operations together which will likely take place within a year.
While it is expected that such patrols will concentrate mainly in the Indian Ocean, there is a big possibility that the South China Sea will be included in the plan as part of India’s goal to play a major role in Asia’s balance of power.
US and India have no claim in the contested waterways, but both countries have expressed support to a united stand among Asian nations in maintaining the freedom of navigation and overflight on what is generally considered as part of international waters.
The plan is expected to further incense China whose claim is being contested by its smaller neighbors; foremost of which are Vietnam and the Philippines.
India’s position to support US in its diplomatic skirmishes with China over territorial conflict in Asia-Pacific was made clear during President Barack Obama’s visit to the country in January.
A source from the Indian government told Reuters the subject was also raised when Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar visited the U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii in December.
“It was a broad discussion, it was about the potential for joint patrols,” Reuters quoted the source as saying.
India has been in a long-running territorial land border dispute with China but remains cautious on antagonizing its more powerful regional rival and neighbor.
Aside from India, the Philippines is also seeking to hold joint maritime patrol with US in the West Philippine Sea; a scenario that has a much bigger chance of pushing through, according to the US official.
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