INS Delhi Makes A Port Call In Malaysia As India Expands Its Footprint In SCS, Amid Continuing Standoff With China

As part of Government of India's (GOI) Act East policy and to counter China's aggressive moves in South China Sea (SCS), Indian Navy destroyer INS Delhi has made a port call to Malaysia.

INS Delhi will dock at Port Klang, Malaysia for three days (29 to 31 May).

An Indian Navy official said, "Indigenously designed and built Indian Naval Ship Delhi, arrived at Port Klang, Malaysia. The port call from 29-31 May is part of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet deployment to ASEAN countries".

"The visit will see personnel from both navies engaging in professional and social interactions consolidating the strong bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia," the Navy official added.

This port call to Malaysia is coming as part of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet's deployment to ASEAN countries. Earlier (in May), two Indian Navy ships, INS Satpura and INS Delhi, visited Sihanoukville port in Cambodia on another port call, as well.

Both, the INS Delhi and INS Satpura, are coming after taking part in the inaugral edition of ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) held in South China Sea (SCS).

The exercise sent Chinese People Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in a frenzy after they sent eight militia vessels in the direction where the AIME exercises were being held, to intimidate ASEAN navies taking part in the exercise.

The deployment of militia vessels near the AIME exercise area is seen as a deliberate attempt by China to intimidate India and the ASEAN nations and gather intelligence on their military capabilities. 

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where China's territorial claims and aggressive behavior have raised concerns among its neighbors and drawn criticism from the international community.

China claims the entire SCS and areas within the nine-dash line as its own territory, even though the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled against these claims in 2016. As a result, China has ongoing maritime disputes with all countries in the SCS, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Evidently, these maritime exercises in an area which China considers its own backyard have ruffled some feathers.

The Chinese PLA and Indian Army are already engaged in almost a four-year-long military standoff along the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC), since May 2020 following the deadly Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers and reportedly more than 40-45 Chinese soldiers.

Even after 18 round of military commanders talks and meetings of Indian and Chinese Defence and Foriegn minister's on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence and foriegn minister meet, there was no breakthrough in the standoff.

Both sides, however, have agreed to keep talking to each other.