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Afghanistan/South Asia
India ready to provide security in Malacca Strait
2004-07-01
India has said it is ready to provide security in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest sea lanes and a victim of rising high seas piracy. External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, who is here to attend the Asean plus 3 meetings and the Asean Regional Forum (ARF), was reacting to a request made by the three littoral states - Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
They didn't want the U.S. Navy butting in.
Singh said it was in India's national interest to ensure that the Strait remained a crime-free sea lane.
It's in everyone's interest. Plus, it gives India's navy a workout.
"From our side it is affirmative...details can be worked out but in principal yes," Singh told the local Jakarta Post. Singh said such cooperation is not new to India. "We are neighbours. Nicobar island and the northern part of Sumatra are only 80 miles apart.
And your warships off-shore will drive that point home.
Posted by:Steve

#5  With China expanding its navy, looking at establishing petrols in outer bands of Pacific islands, and establishing a base of some kind in Pakistan, its eminently logical for India to expand its zone to the straights of Malacca.

1. Natural US role is as balancer. For now, with China stronger, and India closer ideologically, that means leaning towards India.
2. It is probably still in US and global interests to avoid an Indian- Chinese conflict.
Posted by: Liberalhawk   2004-07-01 3:53:07 PM  

#4  I think that India patrolling the Straits of Malacca is a great idea. The more we can get dependable nations to do this, and not have us do this is just better for everyone. It takes the fiscal and political heat off the US and the US Navy, makes others take responsibility, and is basically a win-win. Indonesia and Malasia have their own baggage that they are going to have to deal with, and looking around at the candidates, India seems to be the best fit.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-07-01 3:49:46 PM  

#3  Call me crazy but I think that India would make a great regional power. I would rather it be them and not Malaysia, Pakistan, or the PRC. Of course only india has the Navy capable of conducting operation in that area (other than the U.S.).
Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter)   2004-07-01 12:28:08 PM  

#2  Chuck, any imperial designs India has may be nuclear-powered. The Indian navy is circulating a report on a new doctrine for the Indian armed forces, called the nuclear triad - nuclear capability for the navy, army, and air force. A report from Pakistan suggests the three branches of the Indian forces are in a competition to see who can be nuclear-capable first. Any report about India coming from Pakistan has to be taken with a grain of salt, of course, but interestingly that report does not argue that Pakistan is the main object of Indian nuclear ambitions - it points out that India is testing a new missile with a 3500 km range, that would let it deliver a nuke "deep in to China."

I've blogged about this here and here.
Posted by: Patrick Brown   2004-07-01 11:24:47 AM  

#1  No imperial designs here...
Posted by: Chuck Simmins   2004-07-01 10:52:50 AM  

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