In an official statement on Monday by Navy Official, a task force of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet is scheduled to proceed on an overseas deployment to South East Asia, the South China Sea and Western Pacific “In pursuit of the Act East policy” from early August 2021 for over two months.

The Indian Naval task group comprises Guided Missile Destroyer Ranvijay, Guided Missile Frigate Shivalik, Anti-Submarine Corvette Kadmatt and Guided Missile Corvette Kora. The latter three ships are indigenously designed and are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors, and are Made in India by Defence Shipyards.

"The deployment of the Indian Navy ships seeks to underscore the operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between India and countries of the Indo-Pacific," the statement added.

During the deployment in the Indo-Pacific, the ships are scheduled to participate in bilateral exercises with Vietnamese Peoples’ Navy, Republic of Philippines Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy (SIMBEX), Indonesian Navy (Samudra Shakti) and Royal Australian Navy (AUS-INDEX).  Further, they would also participate in multilateral exercise MALABAR-21 alongside the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy in Western Pacific.

The Indian Navy undertakes regular deployments to friendly foreign countries and in the Indian and the Pacific Ocean regions in furtherance of the Prime Minister's initiative of 'Security and Growth for All in the Region - SAGAR', the statement said. Further, such engagements build 'Bridges of Friendship' and strengthen international cooperation.

"These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards Freedom of Navigation at sea. Besides regular port calls, the task group will operate in conjunction with friendly navies, to build military relations and develop interoperability in the conduct of maritime operations," the Navy said.

China has been claiming the South China Sea as its own and have been establishing military outposts on artificial islands especially in the waters that contain gas fields and rich fishing. To counteract these claims and influence of China, several other countries including Britain, France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, have also been expanding their activity in the Pacific.

For the same counter activities against China’s claims, the US Navy regularly conducts so-called "freedom of navigation" operations in which their vessels pass close by some of the contested islands. In response to this China objects to these US missions, saying they do not help promote peace or stability.

Now India’s military deployment also comes on a day when Germany sent a warship to the South China Sea for the first time in almost two decades for expanding its military in South China Sea. Also, the officials in Berlin have said the German navy will stick to common trade routes despite growing threats and counter statements from Chinese officials.

Image source- Twitter, Indian Navy