In recent developments, the Indian Navy has been actively participating in Maritime Partnership Exercises with various naval forces across the globe. These exercises have gained attention due to their strategic location and purpose, with the most recent being conducted with the Philippine Navy in the West Philippine Sea.
Previous Exercise with the UK Navy
Prior to this, the Indo-UK Naval Exercise, dubbed as ‘Konkan 2021’, was held in the English Channel. These series of naval exercises aim to bolster bilateral cooperation in the maritime domain, with a shared goal of ensuring that the Indo-Pacific region remains stable, peaceful and prosperous.
India’s Strategic Deployment
These exercises are part of a larger effort by India to engage in joint operations with littoral nations that share maritime boundaries with China. This is an important aspect of India’s deployment strategy. Currently, the Indian naval ships INS Ranvijay and INS Kora are deployed to the Western Pacific with the objective of reinforcing maritime security ties with partner nations.
Collaboration of The Quad Countries
The ‘Quad’ countries – India, the US, Australia and Japan – are planning to conduct the next edition of the Malabar naval exercise off the coast of Guam. This collaborative initiative is seen as a response to China’s escalating show of military strength in the Indo-Pacific.
China’s Territorial Claims and Counterclaims from ASEAN Countries
China has made sovereignty claims over the entirety of the South China Sea, an arm of the Western Pacific Ocean and a major source of hydrocarbons. However, these claims are contested by several member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei.
Throughout these exercises and deployments, the Indian Navy is playing an instrumental role in strengthening maritime relations and ensuring collective security in the Indo-Pacific. The ongoing collaboration and partnership with other naval forces further highlight India’s approach towards maintaining peace and stability in the region. Even so, the territorial claims and counterclaims involving China and ASEAN countries add a complex dimension to the geopolitical landscape of this region.
