Asia's Arc of Advantage - icrier

agreements to maintain peace and tranquility along the disputed border signed in 1993 and
1996 as well as a 2005 protocol on military CBMs, China’s behaviour has not been constrained. 34
It is now apparently demanding further accords on military CBMs and, rather disingenuously,
has suggested that China wishes to speed up the resolution of the boundary dispute. It can
hardly promote prospects for that by surreptitious encroachment into Indian territories.
India has so far insulated deeper engagement with China in various spheres from the boundary
dispute. This benign and trusting approach is now in question, given the outcry in the Indian
public and media against the Chinese incursion. During the visit of China’s new Prime Minister
Li Keqiang to New Delhi on May 20, 2013, his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh made it
clear that “the basis for continued growth and expansion of our ties is peace and tranquility
on our borders.” 35 Going forward, it will be difficult for New Delhi to countenance further
provocations or attempts to alter the status quo by China without adverse repercussions on
its wider relations with China. It may also reorient approaches towards boundary settlement
negotiations by demanding the “clarification” of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and seek
greater transparency on China’s plans to build a series of dams on the Brahmaputra River.
India has stepped up its strategic partnership with ASEAN in recent months. India and ASEAN
have committed to “work together more purposefully for the evolution of an open, balanced,
inclusive and transparent regional architecture.” 36 India has also pledged to intensify its
engagement with ASEAN “for maritime security and safety, for freedom of navigation and for
peaceful settlement of maritime disputes in accordance with international law.” 37
Further strengthening of maritime security ties between India and Japan is likely to be another
consequence of China’s regional assertiveness. And India may also move on strengthening
its defence co-operation framework with the US and lift its current restraint on multilateral
security activities/exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.
Signalling this new trend, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outlined India’s approach
to maritime security issues in the Asia-Pacific and co-operation between India and Japan on
May 24, 2013, in the following terms:
“Both India and Japan are important maritime nations. Therefore, safety and security of
the sea lanes of communication, especially in the Indian and Pacific oceans, is vital for
both countries. India supports freedom of navigation and un-impeded lawful commerce
in international waters, and the right of passage in accordance with accepted principles
of international law. We believe that where disputes exist, these should be peacefully
resolved by concerned parties through negotiations. This is essential for peace and
stability in our region.” 38
34 Indrani Bagchi, “Chinese Incursion Violates 2005 Pact,” Times of India, May 03, 2013, available at http://
articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-03/india/39008379_1_two-sides-protocol-border-personnel.
35 “PM sends tough signal on Ladakh incursion to Li,” Times of India, May 21, 2013, available at http://articles.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-21/india/39418226_1_depsang-border-mechanism-incursion.
36 “India expands strategic ties with Asean,” Times of India, December 21, 2012, available at http://articles.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-21/india/35952491_1_india-asean-relationship-india-and-aseannations-asean-community.
37 Ibid.
38 Dr. Manmohan Singh, “PM’s Interview with the Japanese Media,” Prime Minister’s Office, Government of
India, May 26, 2013, available at http://pmindia.gov.in/press-details.php?nodeid=1623.
Regional Dimensions of South China Sea Issues | 55