New Delhi, December 3
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral DK Joshi, today upped the ante over India’s presence in the South China Sea, saying the Navy is ready to sail into the disputed waters if the country’s economic interests are affected in that area.

This comes in the backdrop of National Security Adviser Shiv Shanker Menon’s visit to Beijing to get acquainted with the new leadership.

India has three oil blocks off the coast of Vietnam and one of them has started oil production.

China disputes the location of the blocks and also the boundaries of the exclusive economic zone of Vietnam.

The Navy Chief’s comments come in the backdrop of China giving self-proclaimed rights to its maritime police to board and detain ships in the South China Sea waters.

The dispute is centred around huge undiscovered oil reserves in the area.

The US Energy Information Administration in a 2008 report said there were 213 billion barrels of oil in the area.

On India’s contingency plans and level of preparedness, especially in view of Chinese posturing in the area, Admiral Joshi, while addressing mediapersons today, said: “We will be required to go there and we are prepared (for the contingency). Are we preparing for an exercise of that nature? The short answer is, Yes.”

In July last year, an Indian Naval warship, INS Airavat, on sail near Vietnam was asked over the radio to leave the area. While the warship remained on course, the caller over the radio was stated to be Chinese.

In October, the US had flexed its muscles by navigating its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington through the South China Sea. Vietnamese officials were flown onto the aircraft carrier to take part in a show of military force.

Admiral Joshi termed the situation as “complex”. “We are not direct party or claimant,” he said.

The dispute is between the littoral states of the South China Sea. “Our primary concern is the freedom of navigation. The UNLCOS allows that and it should remain uninterrupted,” he added.

The Navy will make its presence felt whenever the need for national maritime security arises, the Admiral said while expressing fears that “freedom of navigation could be interrupted”.

“It is not that we expect to be in those waters frequently, but when the need arises, we will be required to go there.”

Navy chief’s opinion of sending warships to South China Sea indicates a shift in stance over the past. In August, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma (retd) had said: “We will rather concentrate on the unfinished business in the Indian Ocean region.” But Admiral Joshi, who took over on August 31, said: “There is no shift in policy.”

Admiral Joshi indicated that the government was in loop over the Navy’s stance on the South China Sea, where it intends to protect Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) assets.

“Should there be a need for some protection (to the ONGC), the Navy will be called upon and we will do that.” “We need to have the government’s clearance (to sail out). Should the need arise, I am sure the clearance will come.”

Troubled waters

Dispute revolves around undiscovered oil reserves in the South China Sea area

US Energy Information Administrations’ 2008 report estimates over 213 bn barrels of oil reserves

India has three oil blocks off Vietnam’s coast; one has started producing oil

China disputes location of blocks and boundaries of Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone

We will be required to go there (South China Sea) and we are prepared (for the contingency). Are we preparing for an exercise of that nature? The short answer is, Yes.

— Admiral DK Joshi, Chief of the Naval Staff