Indian involvement in South China Sea

And that's the key. Don't give it enough attention and take it in stride. That's essentially what Chinese government did.

India wants attention and respect, badly. It wants to be considered in the big league; it particularly likes to be named in the same breath as China whether it indicates equal success (how many times have you heard "India and China?) or equal competitor. Sometimes it doesn't even matter if it antagonizes China, like when India successfully tested its Agni V its media put out headlines like "target: Beijing." India wants China to treat it as equal and take it more seriously. It often tries to make loud noises to achieve that.

India does not have the capability or power to do what it often boasts of. China knows it; India knows it. There is no need to make this bigger than it actually is. People who jump on the claim in celebration are ... you know who they are.

mr.bean said:

i never take anything india says too seriously. if you look at what they say and then finally do, you will realize they are ALL TALK NO ACTION!

this is what i think will eventually happen, a couple of indian navy warships will visit vietnam, the indian press will make a big deal about it with lots of photoshoots and PR. lots of commentary about how the indian navy will have a presence in south china sea to protect its assets, lots of talk about how vietnam and india working together to fend of the big bad wolf china blah blah blah.....then they will go home.

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That would be a little bit premature and childish, IMO. As almost everyone knows, India is all words and no action. Until and unless India takes some concrete actions, there is no need to respond to such words. China is not obsessed with India, but needs to manage a prickly neighbor.

J-XX said:

Maybe it's time China started to support some of those separatist movements seeking independence within India.

As usual Indians talk alot, but fire blanks when it comes to action.

I think the Indian navy taking on the PLAN in the South China Sea is comical.

Whether it is land war, air war or naval war, the result will be a 1962 style thumping.

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Blackstone said:

Myanmar has more to lose by pissing off India than what she can gain by pleasing China. Myanmar will pay lots of lip service to the Middle Kingdom (as she has always done), but will stay very neutral in any conflict between the Tiger and the Dragon.

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possibly!

but, does she have more to lose by pissing off india or pissing off china? that's the calculus myanmar has to address. my bet is on the latter. hence, my anticipation.

MwRYum said:

Don't count on it, especially when Burma is moving towards the West, if you're keeping track on the current affairs.

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i am keeping track!

remember, my anticipation is predicated upon, "the event of a conflict".

myanmar is currently doing what weaker nations have always done, play all sides against the middle. yes, they are diversifying their sources of foreign investment, and making as many beneficial deals as possible. but, when the shooting starts, it's often best to accommodate the most powerful and likely winner. my bet is that would be china, and i'm thinking the myanmar elite would make the same bet.

so, in the event of naval hostilities between china and india in the malacca straits/andaman sea region, should china either seek, or presume, overflight privileges in myanmar airspace, would it be in myanmar's best interest to acquiesce, or to attempt to defend their airspace? which option carries the least risk?

as i've said, i'd think the plan would choose the sunda strait option simply because it would put iaf mkis at, or near, the limits of their range, thus denying the indian navy its best option for air support of its operations. aditionally, as the andaman sea is of no fundamental interest for the plan- other than its access to the malaca st, passing through, en route to the arabian sea, would place it's assets at unnecessary risk.

my 2 ¢!

Both India and China are keenly aware of third parties' divide and conquer tactics, and independently really have no need or desire to aggravate each other. Anyone's national and professional pride needs to be demonstrated from time to time, the wise would expect and respect that.

As both countries further develope, the footprints of their respective national interests will further overlap, this is just the beginning. Being two of the oldest and most populous civilizations on earth there is definitely a tradition of accommodation in both cultures that should be put to good use working out this overlap with each other.

Much posturing will occur in the process nonetheless, no need to take it as more than that.

solarz said:

ROFL, sorry, but this forum is (usually) for reality, not fantasy.

I foresee this thread being closed in 3...

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If you said " REALITY " then it is a history, and I wouldn't bother to write the word " SHOULD "