Indonesia to conduct exercises in South China Sea amid China's expansion tactics

Amid China’s growing interest in South China Sea, Indonesia has reportedly decided to conduct exercises in vicinity of Riau Islands. Through years, China has claimed large sections of water and has even assembled arms at several territories over disputed islands in region. In recent years, re has been a spike in incursions led by China into 200-mile exclusive ecomic zone surrounding Natunas group of islands. But w Indonesia has reportedly attempted to strengn its grounds. 

Even though United States has repeatedly restricted China’s interests of expansion but Association of Souast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have avoided following America’s le amid fears of eir ecomic and military retaliation. Foreign Brief has stated that if US continues to opt aggressive foreign policies inste of providing strong support against China’s tactics, n ASEAN members will also be motivated to hardline deterrence measures and even military confrontation. 

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India dismisses China's territorial claim

Reports stating Indonesia conducting exercises came just days after India took an affirmative and said South China Sea is a “part of global commons” and ted that nation stands for freedom of navigation and overflight in waterways. Even United States rejected most of territorial claims me by Asian superpower in disputed region and said that it has legal grounds to unilaterally impose its will. It was when Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava was asked about US’ moves did he say that India has articulated its stance on South China Sea on several instances and most recently was on May 21, this year. 

Meanwhile, China's embassy in Myanmar accused United States of “outrously smearing" nation and “driving a wedge” in its relations with or Souast Asian countries over South China Sea and Hong Kong. Indulging in a war of words online, Chinese embassy lashed out at United States and accused it of "selfish, hypocritical, contemptible" motives. Chinese side also accused US ncies abro of doing "disgusting things" to contain China's authority.  

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(With inputs from ANI)

Im: AP