Summary
In the current tussle between China and the Southeast Asian nations on the energy-rich, strategically located South China Sea, India is caught between protecting its “legitimate” interests and medium to long challenges.
On the raging Vanguard Reef incident where China deliberately positioned its Haiyang Dizhi (HD) 8 survey ship backed by heavy coast guard ships against the already existing Vietnam contracted oil rigs, India’s foreign ministry statement appeared to be cautious weighing options to reinforce its Act East policy while at the same time concerned about the regional stability issues.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spo......