India steps into Philippines-China spat over South China Sea

NEW DELHI: As the Philippines braces for anti-China protests on Friday, India has stepped into the hottest South China Sea dispute to counsel restraint.

In an unusual statement that signals India's growing interests in South China Sea, the MEA on Thursday weighed in on the growing dispute between China and the Philippines. Admitting Indian concern about the events, the MEA spokesperson said, "Maintenance of peace and security in the region is of vital interest to the international community. India urges both countries to exercise restraint and resolve the issue diplomatically according to principles of international law."

India not only has a growing presence in oil and gas exploration off Vietnam in the South China Sea, there has been an Indian presence in helping to keep the sea lanes safe and open for some time now. Besides, India is also signaling to the Southeast Asian nations that it remains engaged about the issues that concern them.

According to reports, over 1,000 people are expected to protest in Manila on Friday against what the Philippines calls a sovereignty dispute over a set of islands. While, China calls them Huangyan Islands, the Philippines calls them Scarborough Shoal. This week Beijing has asked Manila to ensure security of its citizens, asked its citizens to stay indoors, etc.

The People's Liberation Army Daily, the official voice of Chinese military, has also published a commentary on Thursday titled, "Never Expect to Take Away Half an Inch of China's Territory." It said, "We never tolerate any unreasonable embarrassment with blind patience, not to mention that the issue matters for China's territorial integrity, national dignity, and even social stability.

"For anyone who tries to snatch the sovereignty over Huangyan Islands, not only will the Chinese government not agree; the Chinese people will not agree; and the Chinese army will not agree."

In early April, Filipino naval forces intercepted eight Chinese fishing vessels in the disputed islands, boarded them and forced China to back off. It was then seen to be part of China's new aggressive policy in the region. But things heated up last week, when China asked the Philippines to withdraw all its vessels from the island.

Any conflict in that region would affect Indian economic interests. But equally, China has been commenting on issues that New Delhi considers its own bilateral ones - like Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's recent whistle-stop India visit. And, India's commentary on the South China Sea issue has to be seen in that light.

India steps into Philippines-China spat over South China Sea - The Times of India

i still doubt what India is going to do in this matter...!!!!!

Politically? yes, Military? No.

The noose is tightening around China, sooner than Chinese planner's expected. Maritime wise China is fvcked.

You have an amazing ability to connecting the dots.

BP hopes to drill new South China Sea gas block this year

So much for the bleak future of chinese maritime.

Ignorance is a bliss.

No little chicom, you are surrounded, you cannot and will not be allowed to rule the seas like the USN does. You just have way too many maritime enemies and you are weak with just some old painted soviet junks.

Same thing - quid pro quo.

India will continue to meddle into South China Sea and continue to arm all countries that are threatened by PRC, if she so wills. What can you do militarily? Nothing whatsoever.

all the chinese allies in the region are all failing states and all of them are falling out of their sphere of influence into American and Indian laps. What can China do against India military wise, absolutely nothing

And what countries and what weapons have you exported so far? You can start by creating your own basis jet trainer before you thinking about export. Otherwise just another of your fantasy.

Btw China still provides arms to countries she has disputes with in South China Sea.

It is business as usual. So much for your so-called meddling.

[QUOTE=ice berg;490830]You spend money to give subzidized sub standard equipment, while we get people spend their own money to stand against your interest. Guess who is better at what they do. So sad, little tiny penis syndrome are such fun to see. Your jet trainer is a soviet Yakolev copy , my dear boy. Atleast we got our own, and it is original.




No all of a sudden Chinese strategic rise for the past 3 years have taken enormous hits and rolled back all the work done till 2009.

From your post, i conclude there is zero country and zero weapon you have exported to those countries "threatened by China".

Thanks for the confirmation.

You sounds like an angry kid because no one wants your toys.

It is always up to the buyers to decide whether your products are good or not.

Ah, you have no come back against people who actually know stuff. So sad tiny penis chicom. Welcome to the real world, China is nothing but a botox power, nothing real about your military nor awesome. Just botox.

We dont sell stuff to others by law (read about it), and we dont copy stuff made by others name them J-15(Sukhoi), J-20 ( MiG 1.44) , J-10 (lavi) etc etc< its something called honor and integrity and pride. And we still kick your ass on a regular basis, now go chew on 1967 and 1987....and why we have you by the balls.

North Korea and Pakistan, You can have'em tiny chicom. Now go earn your yuan.

I said if she so wills.

India is not ruled by an egomaniac like Mao who sent millions of Chinese to their certain deaths into the Koran War. To second Nikita Khrushchev, Mao was an"Asian Hitler" and a "living corpse."

PRC's approach to its neighbours was disliked even by close allies. You have no friends.

The more Indians curse Mao the more I'm convinced Mao is correct, strategically. His insight has avoided China's face-off with US troops stationed in Korea across the border river had DPRK fallen. That could have been much, much more mostly and a nightmare for Chinese. And Manchuria, which is resource rich + China's top industrial base then, would have been a 'frontier'.

I'd be alerted if Indians chant sweetly Mao or PRC's approaches are correct. PRC could have been off track when our enemies croon a lullaby.

No, u are deadly wrong - PRC has many friends, inside ASEAN, even regarding SCS spat, with strong economic and military ties

1) friendly: Cambodia, Thailand
u probably noticed Cambodia helped China in recent ASEAN summit. And now Thailand and China are conducting a joint military exercise in Guangdong.

2) neutral: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Lao, Brunei
China has become a top supplier of military equipment for Indonesia. There's only a minor overlapping claim with MY and Brunei.

3) hostile: Vietnam, Philippines
Despite the disputes China is VN's top investor, while ranking no.4 in PH's FDI. There are around 140,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong

Have any peers spoken a word in support of Philippines??

Now, in contrast, how is India's neighborhood? All is well?? Stepping into SCS before taking care of your backyard? I doubt India has any leverage!

People are reading too much into one single line statement issued by MEA.

Mao died in the 70s. Get over it and move on?
The way indians talk about him, you will think he is still live and kicking.

Try not live in the past. The world has moved on.

And what does that got to do with post #6? Off topic much?