India to Monitor Shipping in South China Sea

By Aiswarya Lakshmi

Monday, May 11, 2015, 2:36 AM

South China Sea Maritime Claims. Map by Stratfor 

 As the disputed South China Sea heats up around the world, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) of India has Okayed a plan to virtually keep an eye on shipping in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, reports Tribune News Service.

 

It is an act that is clearly aimed at monitoring the Chinese shipping of oil and gas, without saying so, adds the report.

 

The CCS, which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a plan to collate shipping information from 24 countries located as far and wide as those on African East Coast that is the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea, where five countries are locked in bitter territorial dispute with China. Beijing is not one of the countries on the 24-country grouping.

 

Meanwhile, Vietnam wanted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issue of maritime security with China during his upcoming talks with the Chinese leadership.

 

Vietman's Directorate of External Information’s Director General Le Van Nghiem said that if India raises its stand with China it could be beneficial for both Vietnam and India.

 

India and Vietnam have enjoyed good relations and New Delhi always supported Hanoi whenever China tried to violate Vietnamese sovereignty, especially its strategic island, Spratly, he said.