The recent competition between India and China has now moved to Sea. If the latest tensions between the two countries are an indication, oceans might become the future battle ground for one of the biggest wars in history that could even lead to World War-III, as the battle for seas includes many nations. Chinese Communist Party-run Global Times had last month called on Beijing to declare war on Vietnam and Philippines, two countries that have been proactive in defending their claims over the mineral rich islets in South China Sea.

Another possible trigger for the war cry was India's rejection of Chinese objections to its agreements to explore oil in Vietnamese waters, in partnership with Vietnam. India's 'oil provocations' against China was completed yesterday as India and Vietnam decided to go ahead with the pact for oil exploration in South China Sea. China on the other hand has been increasingly expanding its base in the Indian Ocean.China has for long been building maritime and other linkages with eastern Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia, among others to assert its authority in the Indian Ocean. Apart from regular tensions between India and China along Himalayan Mountain borders, the strain at sea regained momentum recently when China decided to leave its footprints in Maldives, a strategic location in Indian Ocean. India was among the first countries to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with this country. China has now sought to undertake various development projects in Maldives islands to challenge Indian Supremacy in the island nation. There are also reports of Chinese planning a secret naval submarine base in Marao (one of the islands in the Indian Ocean), as it is close to India. Moreover, China is building a fully fledged embassy in Male.

India has also been taking a step by step approach to counter Chinese measures. It has intensified its defense engagements with countries like Maldives, Mauritius and Seychelles. Indian warships now help Maldives in maritime patrol and surveillance. New Delhi is also helping Male set up ground radar networks in all its 26 atolls, linking them to Indian military surveillance systems. In 2006, India had also provided Maldives with "Tillanchang" - a 260 tonne fast-attack craft designed for fast and covert operations against smugglers and terrorists. Apart from assisting many small nations in Indian Ocean, India has now begun to make its presence felt in Chinese frontiers.

India seems to say, "If you do it in Indian Ocean, we will do it in South China Sea".

This is where an agreement has been signed between India and Vietnam for oil exploration in China Sea. India has also been sending naval warships to China Sea. An Indian naval warship sailing in South China Sea was last month stopped by China, which accused India of intruding into its Waters, and was asked to return. India was not intimidated. Foreign Minister S M Krishna asserted "India will continue to send more and more war ships to Vietnam ports in China Sea", angering China. In what may rattle China more, Defense Minister A K Anthony yesterday went on to acknowledge the benefits of holding joint exercises with regional and global powers like U.S, Japan and Vietnam in South China Sea and West Pacific.

As in 1962, these provocations targeted against each other might turn into a huge scale War between the two Asian giants. The oil rich South China Sea has suddenly become the global focal point where interests of major global players like the United States and Japan meet, leave alone rising Asia n giants like China and India. It has the second busiest sea lane in the world. There are also unsolved territorial disputes between China, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei, with China claiming most of the South China Sea as well as the twin oil paradises, Paracel and Spratly islands. With China and Southeast Asian states disputing claims to the energy rich South China Sea, there is a potential for huge conflict in future involving countries like Japan, U.S, China and India, and the other smaller countries, leading to a world war-III. Whether an Indo-China war will begin such a conflict is another question. For now, the probability is bleak, but the possibility still remains...

@rvind!