The United States and India are considering cooperative naval operations. According to US defense official, the operations may include joint patrols in disputed waters in the South China Sea, a move that is likely to antagonize China.

Reuters reports that the US is bolstering its allies in the region to build a united front against Beijing's extensive territorial and maritime assertions in the South China Sea, where it has constructed seven artificial islands in spite of mounting opposition from rival claimants.

Like Us on Facebook

India and the US have increased their military cooperation in the past few years, conducting regular naval exercises in the Indian Ocean.  Japan joined the exercises last year.

"Freedom of Navigation"

The Indian navy, however, has never carried out joint patrols with other countries, and an Indian naval officer told Reuters that there has been no change in that policy. 

The unnamed US defense official nonetheless claims that both countries have lately discussed joint patrols in the South China Sea, and said Washington and New Delhi officials hope to begin the joint patrols -- which would also cover the Indian Ocean -- within the year.

Neither India nor the US has claims in the South China Sea, but both nations have voiced their support for freedom of navigation in the contentious territory, where the Obama administration appears to be stepping up efforts to rally its allies against China's territorial claims.

Last year, India announced its intention to explore for oil in the South China Sea in partnership with Vietnam.  Beijing opposed the plans, claiming they were "illegal." 

Speaking before a valedictory function of International Fleet Review earlier this week, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a veiled reference to the South China Sea disputes, telling the audience that "countries must respect and ensure freedom of navigation and cooperate, not compete."

"No 'bullying'"

US President Barrack Obama is meanwhile said to be preparing a hard-hitting message to China during a summit with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next week. 

Ben Rhodes, White House deputy national security adviser for communications, says Obama intends to tell ASEAN leaders that maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea must be settled peacefully, and not with a big nation "bullying" smaller neighbors.

Washington had previously said the two-day summit to be held in California is not an "anti-China" effort. White House officials have, however, made it clear that the disputes in the South China Sea will be among the main focal points of the conference. 

China is laying claim to almost all of the South China Sea.  Its increasingly muscular approach toward its territorial and maritime claims has led to disputes with the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia, each of which has overlapping claims on the waters.  

Singapore makes no claim over any of the disputed territories, but has in the past expressed concern over China's land reclamation policies. 

All five are ASEAN member countries.

TagsTerritorial disputes in the South China Sea, US-China relations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi