New Delhi: While the tension is rising between India and China, India and Japan held joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean. It is said that this was one of the routine practices conducted by the two countries. But this exercise has been held when India and China are having a dispute in Ladakh, and there is tension between China and Japan over the Chinese activities in the East China Sea. Therefore, as per analysts, the timing chosen for the exercises by the two countries is a warning for China. Only four days ago, the United States and Japan also held a joint exercise in the South China Sea. Thereafter, this exercise between India and Japan is being held.
Destroyers INS Rana and INS Kulish from the Indian naval fleet and warships JS Kashima and JS Shimayuki participated in the exercise. Details of the region of the Indian Ocean, where the activity was held has not been revealed. The Japanese embassy in India revealed this information regarding the practice. The Japanese embassy also said that this was the 15th exercise between the two countries in the last three years. The objective of the exercise was to increase coordination between the navies of the two countries. The Japanese embassy clarified that there was no special objective behind the activity.
Indian and Chinese armies are involved in a standoff on the Ladakh border. China is also intruding in the marine regions of the Pacific Ocean region. The movement of Chinese submarines and warships has increased in this region. China has threatened Japan over the decision taken regarding the Senkaku Islands. At the same time, recognising the Chinese threat to Taiwan, the United States has simultaneously deployed three of its aircraft carriers in the marine region near China. Hence, the significance of the India-Japan naval exercise, being held at the same time, increases further.
India has increased its deployment in the Indian Ocean ever since the tension increased with China. India had indicated that Australia might be included in the Malabar war exercises, held every year between India, the United States and Japan. India and Australia had also signed the Logistics agreement only a few days ago. There are indications that a similar deal will be signed with Japan. Therefore, the cooperation between India, the United States, Japan and Australia, the members of QUAD, is becoming stronger by the day. As per analysts, China is panicking because of this ever-growing cooperation.
Meanwhile, a former Indian diplomat and a scholar regarding China, Sujan R Chinoy, has advised that India should open the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for its allies. Chinoy, who is a Director at the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis said that India should strengthen cooperation with its allies like the United States, Japan, Australia and France, to tighten the reins on the movements of the Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean region. China has signed agreements with countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand, and therefore, Chinese submarines regularly come to visit the ports of these countries. While pointing this out, Chinoy suggested that India should increase cooperation with its allies to keep an eye on China.
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