Dragon-Elephant Relationship in the South China Sea Imbroglio

Southeast Asia has been the focus for scholars for a long time and its importance tends to grow not just politically and economically but also militarily. However, mistrust, and competing maritime claims have combined to weaken a successful regional-security structure. The South China Sea (SCS) is regarded as one of the most dynamic and controversial regions in the world with multiple issues crisscrossing each other. The SCS is a semi-enclosed sea bordered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. The SCS dispute embodies two dimensions, territorial sovereignty and jurisdictional rights under maritime demarcation arising from differing interpretations following the 1982 UNCLOS. China's assertiveness in the SCS prompted India to declare the disputed sea as the property of the world. India is keen to strengthen its maritime capabilities, given China's pursuit of a powerful blue water navy since Delhi views this as a great threat to key shipping routes in the Indian Ocean and also to Indian energy assets in the SCS.