Maritime diplomacy runs aground as China backs off fleet review

Though the Indian Navy described the interaction with the Chinese Navy “warm and friendly” no sooner were the ships back, China registered a protest about the presence and exercises the Indian warships carried out in south China sea. Both China and India have been eyeing each other’s growth and presence in the Indian ocean region.

While India is wary of China’s presence in the Coco islands, China has made it clear that it resents India’s stand on extending its naval presence to the South China sea. “When our ships visited Shanghai, they were very warmly received and China even brought out a commemorative first day cover. And our ships were at the port of Shanghai for four days. This was the first time that an Indian ship visited China after 1958. The Chinese Navy had said that they were hopeful of being able to make it for the fleet review,” sources said.

However, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (operations) Rear Admiral Suresh Bangara told The Indian Express that it was only yesterday that the Chinese Navy communicated their inability to send a ship for the fleet review. “But they want a reciprocal visit at a later date. They will send a ship to India on a later date to reciprocate our visit (INS Delhi and INS Kora) to Shanghai,” he said.

The invitation to the Chinese was sent out almost six months ago. Most countries including the US, France, UK and Russia sent their acceptance almost two months ago. A total of 26 ships from 22 foreign countries would be participating in the fleet review. Pakistan has not been invited to the IFR, sources said.

The fleet review is said to be a part of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sushil Kumar’s idea to further maritime diplomacy and act as a potent instrument to project the nation’s foreign policy. “China declining the invitation is a setback to maritime diplomacy in the region,” said another official at the naval headquarters.

“It is only when you interact ceremonially that you get to know each other and then graduate to carrying our exercises together. But for the time being goodwill visits and joint exercises will have to wait,” he added. Though China is not participating, the Navy is enthusiastic about the first “mega event” with several countries sending two ships. France, Oman, Kenya and Iran are sending two ships for the ceremonial review by President K.R. Narayanan. Israel, Qatar, Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Greece are some of the other countries participating.

As many as 80 ships will line up for the review, a naval official said.