‘The era of development, not expansionism’: From Britain, PM Modi’s tough message to China on Indo-Pacific tension. Bharat News
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, without any indefinite words, confirmed the stand against India’s expansionism, which is a reference to Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific sector.During the press briefing with the UK Prime Minister Kir Stormer after India and the UK, the Landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed, PM Modi said that “the demand for the current era is not expansionism, but evolutionism”.PM Modi said, “We have continued to share peace and stability in Indo-Pacific, the ongoing struggle in Ukraine and the situation in West Asia. The sovereignty and regional integrity of all countries is required.” China’s aggression in Indo-Pacific has become a central concern for regional and global powers. The increasing vigor of Beijing at the center of the issue is in both military and strategic, important waterways and regions. In the South China Sea, China claims almost the entire region through a controversial “nine-dash line”, despite the 2016 International Tribunal, gives a verdict in favor of the Philippines that invalid these claims. China has ignored the ruling and instead has created artificial islands, converting them into military outposts with airstrip and missile systems, and has stopped regularly reaching their own water.In the East China Sea, with a frequent avatar by the Chinese Navy and Air Force, there is tension with Japan on the Senakaku islands (called Diyu by China), which promotes a direct confrontation. Similarly, across the Taiwan Strait, China continues to threaten Taiwan’s self-explained island, sees it as a break-venue province. Beijing regularly performs a large -scale military exercise around Taiwan, sends fighter jets to its air defense sector, and tries to separate the island diplomatically, increasing the possibility of a possible invasion.In the Indian Ocean, China is expanding its footprint, which many analysts have called the “pearl string” strategy in countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan (Gwadar) and parts of East Africa by building ports and strategic infrastructure or funding. While these tricks are presented as an economic participation, they are seen as efforts to surround India and project power beyond the shores of China. Beijing has also adopted an aggressive diplomatic currency, often called “Wolf Warrier Diplomacy”, where it is in countries that challenge their positions including Australia, India and the Philippines.India, in response, have taken several steps to retaliate China’s influence. This has deepened strategic relations with like -minded countries through Quad Alliance (India, America, Japan and Australia), enhancing its participation in joint naval exercises, and promoting maritime surveillance and infrastructure in the Indian Ocean region. As the geopolitical competition is hot, Indo-Pacific has emerged as the most important area in the ongoing power struggle between a growing China and countries that support an independent, open and rule-based order.
