UPSC Mains Answer: With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and over flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China.

Difficulty Level: Hard

Sub-category: International Relations (India and its Neighborhood, Bilateral Relations)

Introduction

The South China Sea (SCS) has emerged as a critical geopolitical flashpoint, characterized by overlapping maritime territorial claims and escalating tensions among littoral states. For India, the SCS is not merely a distant dispute but a vital strategic and economic corridor, given its reliance on unimpeded freedom of navigation (FON) and overflight for trade and energy security. Bilateral issues between India and China in this context are deeply intertwined with broader regional security dynamics, historical grievances, and competing strategic interests.

Body

historical_context: India and China’s maritime engagement in the SCS is shaped by historical legacies, including China’s Nine-Dash Line claim, which India has consistently opposed as it contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India’s stance aligns with international law, emphasizing the need for a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

Strategic interests

China’s militarization of artificial islands and its assertive posture in the SCS directly impinge on India’s strategic interests. India’s Act East Policy and its growing naval presence in the region, including joint exercises with ASEAN nations and the Quad, reflect its commitment to counterbalancing China’s dominance. The Malabar exercises and India’s oil exploration projects in Vietnamese waters (e.g., Block 128) have further strained bilateral relations.

Economic dimensions

The SCS is a critical route for India’s trade, with over 55% of its maritime trade passing through the region. China’s attempts to restrict FON through its expansive claims threaten India’s economic security, particularly its energy imports from the Middle East and Africa. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), exacerbates India’s concerns about encirclement and strategic containment.

Diplomatic challenges

India’s support for a multipolar Indo-Pacific and its advocacy for ASEAN centrality in regional security architectures clash with China’s preference for bilateral negotiations to resolve disputes. The 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling against China’s claims, which India endorsed, further underscored the divergence in their approaches to maritime governance.

Conclusion

To safeguard maritime security in the SCS, India must continue to uphold international law, strengthen partnerships with like-minded nations, and engage in constructive dialogue with China to mitigate tensions. A balanced approach—combining diplomatic engagement with strategic deterrence—is essential to ensure regional stability and protect India’s core interests in the Indo-Pacific.