The unidentified Chinese warship demanded that India's [ Images ] INS Airawat, an amphibious assault vessel, identify itself and explain its presence in the South China Sea, Financial Times reported.
The London-based paper said that the Indian warship was in international water after completing a scheduled port call in Vietnam.
Well, that's interesting. At least there was no shooting.
China should be careful about this approach when you consider how many of their vital imports come through the Indian Ocean. India sometimes seems like they think that ocean should be their exclusive sphere of influence.
Oh, and India should cultivate defense ties with Taiwan and see if they can channel some Russian-made submarines to Taiwan. It wouldn't hurt to have armed friends in the South China Sea.
UPDATE: Well, there was no physical confrontation. It was a radio message that the Indian captain igniered. But pointing to the danger of setting a precedent that India might follow, there is also this:
Meanwhile, India revealed that, four months ago, a Chinese electronic reconnaissance ship, disguised as a fishing trawler, was spotted off the [Andaman] islands, monitoring Indian military activities.
Interesting.
