India’s position on the South China Sea (SCS) dispute is rooted in its broader geopolitical goals, economic interests, and strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region. As a rising global power with increasing maritime interests, India’s stance on this issue reflects its support for international law, its commitment to regional stability, and its strategic priorities, including freedom of navigation, the protection of sea lanes, and the prevention of the militarization of key maritime areas. India’s position is nuanced and carefully balanced, as it seeks to preserve its relations with China while reinforcing its influence within regional multilateral frameworks such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
India’s Strategic Interests in the South China Sea
The South China Sea is one of the most important maritime regions globally, not only because it holds vast natural resources but also due to its role as a key shipping route. Over a third of global maritime trade passes through the South China Sea, and approximately half of the world’s oil tanker traffic transits this region. For India, this trade route is vital to its own economic prosperity. India’s growing trade with Southeast Asia, East Asia, and beyond is facilitated by these crucial sea lanes. Additionally, the South China Sea is rich in hydrocarbon resources, which are of interest to India, particularly in the context of its energy security needs. India has engaged in energy exploration projects in the South China Sea in collaboration with Vietnam, one of the claimants in the region, which has led to friction with China.
India’s Strategic Partnership with ASEAN has been a cornerstone of its engagement in the region. Many of the ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, are directly involved in the territorial disputes with China. For India, maintaining strong ties with these countries is critical for both regional stability and its own security interests in the Indo-Pacific. The region's maritime security is not just an economic concern for India but also a matter of national security. The South China Sea's proximity to India’s eastern seaboard makes the stability of the region directly relevant to India’s maritime security. Any threat to the unimpeded flow of commerce or the imposition of control over these waters would undermine India’s strategic position.
India’s Diplomatic Approach: Support for International Law and the Rules-Based Order
India’s primary approach to the South China Sea dispute is grounded in its commitment to a rules-based international order. As a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), India advocates for the resolution of disputes based on international law. India consistently calls for all parties in the dispute to adhere to the principles of UNCLOS, which defines maritime rights, including territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and the rights of coastal nations to exploit marine resources. India has emphasized that disputes over maritime boundaries should be resolved through peaceful dialogue, rather than through force or coercion.
The 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, which invalidated China’s sweeping claims in the South China Sea based on the Nine-Dash Line, was a significant moment for India. Although India was not a party to the case, it expressed support for the international legal order, reiterating that all nations must respect international legal frameworks such as UNCLOS. While India has not directly criticized China’s actions in the region, it has firmly supported the freedom of navigation and the rule of law as essential principles for ensuring stability in the region. India’s position on the PCA ruling underscores its commitment to upholding international law, which is central to its diplomatic approach to the South China Sea.
Freedom of Navigation and Overflight
One of the core elements of India’s stance on the South China Sea is its unwavering support for freedom of navigation and overflight. India believes that the South China Sea must remain an open and accessible region for international trade and movement. The region is one of the busiest maritime corridors in the world, and any attempt by a single nation to assert control over these waters could disrupt global trade flows. The protection of sea lanes is particularly important for India, which relies on these routes for its economic and energy security.
India has frequently voiced its opposition to actions that restrict freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. This includes concerns over China’s activities to establish control over vast portions of the sea, including its construction of artificial islands and the militarization of these islands. India views these developments as a violation of the principle of freedom of navigation and as a potential source of tension in the region. India has actively participated in international efforts to promote maritime security, including the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and cooperation with the Malabar Naval Exercises, which involve India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Through such engagements, India reinforces its support for the free passage of ships and aircraft in the South China Sea, consistent with its broader goal of promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Neutrality on Territorial Claims but Advocacy for Peaceful Resolution
India has maintained a policy of neutrality on the specific territorial disputes in the South China Sea. While India does not take a position on the competing claims of China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, it advocates for the peaceful resolution of these disputes through dialogue and negotiations. India stresses that territorial disputes should not be settled by force but through diplomatic means, in accordance with international law.
India’s neutrality in the territorial disputes allows it to maintain good relations with all parties involved, including China, while also safeguarding its strategic and economic interests. However, India has been vocal in calling for the preservation of peace and stability in the region, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved in a way that does not disrupt regional security or hinder freedom of navigation.
India’s Growing Engagement with Southeast Asia
India’s relationship with Southeast Asia is critical to its regional strategy in the South China Sea. The Act East Policy, which aims to enhance India’s relations with Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific region, has led to deeper diplomatic, economic, and security ties with countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. India has been a consistent supporter of ASEAN’s role in maintaining peace and stability in the region, advocating for ASEAN centrality in managing the South China Sea dispute.
India has also strengthened its defense and security cooperation with Vietnam, which is one of the most vocal critics of China’s claims in the South China Sea. In recent years, India and Vietnam have conducted joint naval exercises and enhanced their defense collaboration. India has also provided Vietnam with assistance in offshore oil exploration in the South China Sea, despite objections from China. This cooperation underscores India’s growing strategic engagement in the region and its support for ASEAN nations facing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea.
India’s Position on China’s Maritime Ambitions
India has expressed growing concerns over China’s expanding influence in the South China Sea and its efforts to assert dominance through the construction of artificial islands and the militarization of the region. While India does not engage in direct confrontations with China on this issue, it closely monitors the developments in the South China Sea. China’s growing assertiveness in the region is viewed by India as part of a broader strategy to expand its naval footprint and project power across the Indo-Pacific.
India has been particularly cautious in its engagement with China in the South China Sea, preferring to pursue dialogue and diplomatic solutions. However, India has made it clear that it will not tolerate any attempt by China to restrict freedom of navigation or violate international law. As part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, India has been strengthening its maritime capabilities and working closely with regional partners such as Japan, Australia, and the United States to ensure that the South China Sea remains a region of free and open access for all nations.
India’s Growing Naval Presence in the Indo-Pacific
India has significantly increased its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, as part of its broader strategy to safeguard its maritime interests. India has conducted several naval exercises in the region, including joint exercises with the United States, Japan, and Australia under the Malabar Exercises. These exercises focus on enhancing interoperability, maritime security, and freedom of navigation, reinforcing India’s commitment to a rules-based maritime order.
India has also engaged in initiatives to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) in the Indo-Pacific, which includes strengthening surveillance and intelligence-sharing mechanisms. Through these initiatives, India aims to ensure that it can protect its maritime interests and contribute to regional security. In addition, India has sought to enhance its naval capabilities, particularly in terms of deploying nuclear-powered submarines and advanced naval platforms, to project its power and deter any potential threats in the region.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to the South China Sea Dispute
India’s position on the South China Sea is characterized by its commitment to a peaceful, rules-based international order and its support for freedom of navigation. India advocates for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the region through dialogue and negotiation in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS. While India maintains neutrality on the territorial claims in the South China Sea, it is actively involved in regional security initiatives and has strengthened its defense and economic ties with Southeast Asian nations, particularly Vietnam.
India’s approach to the South China Sea is shaped by its growing maritime interests, its strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific, and its broader vision of regional stability. While it seeks to maintain constructive relations with China, India is also enhancing its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific and engaging in multilateral initiatives to ensure that the region remains a zone of peace, stability, and cooperation. Through its nuanced and balanced approach, India aims to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, while safeguarding its strategic interests in the South China Sea.
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