Publication

This paper uses India's oil exploration venture in Vietnam’s territorial waters and China's reaction to this move to illustrate tension between the two countries over access to the South China Sea. The author argues that India cannot afford to have any conflict with any of its East Asian neighbors especially China which is becoming a formidable economic and military power. Nor can China afford to cause any setback to its economic growth by engaging any of its neighbors into a conflict. The best course for India and China, he concludes, is to coexist in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean peacefully.