US seeks stronger alliance with India in South China Sea

By Reuters: The United States expects a higher partnership with India within the South China Sea, the place China has been on the middle of quite a few territorial disputes with regional international locations, the highest U.S. diplomat for East Asia mentioned on Wednesday.

The United States and India declared themselves “among the closest partners in the world” final week throughout a state go to to Washington by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasised adherence to worldwide legislation in addressing challenges to the maritime rules-based order, together with within the South China Sea.

The U.S. has seen a “clear and upward trend” of Chinese “coercion” within the disputed waters, Daniel Kritenbrink advised Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Asked whether or not India would have a rising function within the South China Sea and higher cooperation with the U.S. there, Kritenbrink mentioned “Yes,” including that there could be higher collaboration amongst a bunch of regional powers – the U.S., India, Japan and Australia – generally known as the Quad.

He mentioned the U.S. focus within the area was on constructing the capability of allies, companions and mates that share a imaginative and prescient for a peaceable and steady world.

“We will welcome cooperation with any country that embraces that vision. That of course, includes India,” Kritenbrink mentioned.

“Large countries should not bully smaller ones,” he added, referring to China’s disputes with different South China Sea claimants.

Tensions are excessive in contested elements sea, one of many world’s most necessary commerce routes and a conduit for greater than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.

China claims virtually your entire sea as its territory and says disputes needs to be left to international locations within the area to settle with out outdoors interference.

The spokesperson for China’s Washington embassy mentioned Beijing’s South China Sea place had a strong historic and authorized foundation, whereas the U.S. was not a celebration to the disputes and shouldn’t be conducting army operations within the space.

“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 advised a information briefing.

The United States has been in search of to revive direct military-to-military contact with China to keep away from misunderstandings that might result in unintended battle, however China has resisted this.

Though not a South China Sea claimant, India has lately stepped up safety ties within the area, signaling its intent to play an even bigger function in efforts to counter China.

India’s navy mentioned on Wednesday it was sending an energetic responsibility missile corvette to Vietnam as a present, the primary warship it has given to any nation.

Kritenbrink referred to “unsafe maneuvers” by Chinese vessels inside Vietnam’s unique financial zone final month, notably within the waters round oil and fuel installations.

“(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 mentioned.