In Open Challenge To China, India Navy Conducts Drills In South China Sea Along With US, Japan, Philippines

In an assertive, geopolitical posturing towards China, India has sent her Naval warships to take part in a six-day naval exercise with the US, Japan and Philippines, in the disputed waters of South China Sea, reports Times of India.

India displayed the might of its guided-missile destroyer INS Kolkata and fleet tanker INS Shakti in the quadrangular drill, that happened between May 3-9, where some of the front line vessels of US and Japan navies also took part.

Both INS Kolkata and INS Shakti took part in the recently concluded international fleet review at Qingdao in China, soon after the completion of a bilateral exercise with Vietnam at the Cam Ranh International Bay.

Detailing the move Indian Navy spokesperson D K Sharma said, “The group sail was aimed at deepening the existing partnership and foster mutual understanding among the participating nations. India is committed to creating an environment of enhanced inter-operability with like-minded nations to ensure safe maritime theatres.”

As part of countermeasures to the ever increasing Chinese influence in the region, India is looking to weave its own web of strategic influence across the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific waters.