Indian PM and US President
The senior American diplomat for East Asia stated on Wednesday that the United States anticipates a stronger relationship with India in the South China Sea, where China has been at the centre of multiple territorial conflicts with neighbouring nations.
The United States and India declared themselves “among the closest partners in the world” last week during a state visit to Washington by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasized adherence to international law in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, including in the South China Sea.
Asked whether India would have a growing role in the South China Sea and greater cooperation with the U.S. there, Kritenbrink said “Yes,” adding that there would be greater collaboration among a group of regional powers – the U.S., India, Japan and Australia – known as the Quad.
He said the U.S. focus in the region was on building the capacity of allies, partners and friends that share a vision for a peaceful and stable world.
“We will welcome cooperation with any country that embraces that vision. That of course, includes India,” Kritenbrink said.
“Large countries should not bully smaller ones,” he added, referring to China’s disputes with other South China Sea claimants.
Tensions are high in contested parts sea, one of the world’s most important trade routes and a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.
China claims almost the entire sea as its territory and says disputes should be left to countries in the region to settle without outside interference.
The spokesperson for China’s Washington embassy said Beijing’s South China Sea position had a solid historical and legal basis, whereas the U.S. was not a party to the disputes and should not be conducting military operations in the area.
“If the U.S. really cares about the stability of the South China Sea and wants to avoid accidents, I think it needs to stop the reconnaissance operations against China,” Liu Pengyu told a news briefing.
The United States has been seeking to revive direct military-to-military contact with China to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to unintended conflict, but China has resisted this.
India has recently strengthened security relations in the area, signalling its intention to play a stronger role in attempts to oppose China, despite the country’s lack of a South China Sea claim.
The Indian military said on Wednesday that it was giving Vietnam its first warship, an active duty missile corvette.
The exclusive economic zone of Vietnam was the subject of “unsafe manoeuvres” by Chinese ships last month, particularly in the waters near oil and gas infrastructure.
“(China’s) provocative behavior exacerbates risks for businesses, effectively pushing out competition and paving the way for the PRC to push a joint development deal with its state-owned firms,” he said.
(This story has not been edited by Bharat Express staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
