“Following the Waves, Good Move by India in Indo Pacific “
External Affairs Minister of Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has just concluded his five-day tour in Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia from March 23 to 27. India’s relations with ASEAN countries have witnessed a rapid growth in trade since last decade and also catching up in its relations with countries like, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
Jaishankar’s visit is not purely for diplomatic purposes but also to promote trade and commerce. India is particularly enthusiastic about developing its defence and strategic relations with the Philippines.
Presently the bilateral trade is increasing and India is keen to increase bilateral investments. However, since China has not only created tensions both in Occupied Tibet and occupied territories in India’s Ladakh, but also keeps propping up Pakistan. Now India too has decided to counter it in similar manner.
India now has started drawing closure to countries that are continuously under Chinese treat especially over territorial sovereignty disputes which are becoming bigger issues day by day.
China has laid claims over vast areas of Philippines territory in what is Philippines Sea ( called extension of South China Seaby Beijing ) and nowadays even uses its naval forces to threaten Manila. So after meeting with his Philippine counterpart in Manila this week, Jaishankar called for “staunch adherence to a rules-based order,” and reaffirmed “India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty.”
Jaishankar’s remarks are nothing but a direct warning to China to lay off Philippines. After all, India now shows lots of interest in developing relations with countries in South East Asia and the entire Indo Pacific region.
It fully sides with Japan, Australia and USA with the so-called rules-based order of Freedom of Navigation. Jaishankar is just hoping that China will see reason and not try and “enforce it own rules” on the smaller Indo Pacific countries. India will just not tolerate such things anymore.
Philippines are now already engaged in a long-term entanglement with China in the Philippines Sea. China’s image in the international community has already been tarnished by its bullying tactics over Philippines and Vietnam. Also its desire to conquer Taiwan, a free democratic country, by force is well known and has been denounced by various countries.
Any actions by China in the in the Philippines Sea will now will be checkmated by the Philippines Armed Forces quite effectively. China’s PLAN and PLAAF henceforth will be facing Indian made weapon systems like BRAHMOS and Akash missiles.
Meanwhile India is already maintaining sufficient strategic vigilance in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh and the Indian Ocean region. Asia. Safeguarding border security and territorial integrity after all is sacred and eternal missions that the Indian military and people always bear in mind.
India’s support to the Philippines for upholding its national sovereignty is completely Strategic in nature. Currently, the Philippines was defending its national sovereignty in the Philippines Sea with meagre resources and thus China was always attempting to encroach on its sovereignty. However now India has given it highly effective and specialized weapon systems.
In the end, developing closer economic and trade relations along with defence relationship with Southeast Asian countries and enhancing mutual political trust is the right way for India to maintain friendly relations with neighbouring countries. This will help maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific.
