Desk:Amid heightened tensions along the northern border between India and China, a fresh confrontation has emerged in the South China Sea. The incident occurred when Indian Coast Guard ship ICGS Shaunak, returning from a goodwill visit to Japan, was intercepted by Chinese Coast Guard vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. The encounter escalated tensions between the two maritime forces.
China considers the waters near the Scarborough Shoal as a disputed region. Ray Powell, Director of the SeaLight Initiative at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, reported on social media platform X that two Chinese Coast Guard ships, CCG 3103 and CCG 3502, surrounded ICGS Shaunak as it sailed west of Scarborough Shoal. Despite claims by the Philippines over the area, China asserts its territorial rights over the region.
This incident occurred alongside ongoing tensions between Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard forces near the Shoal. China’s “monster ship,” CCG 5901, the world’s largest armed coast guard cutter, is engaged in a standoff with the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Gabriela Silang in the region. The vessel frequently operates in a “grey zone,” reportedly defending China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
China’s Coast Guard, known for its aggressive tactics in the Indo-Pacific, has over 1,275 vessels, including 225 large ships capable of offshore operations. The fleet includes two of the world’s largest coast guard ships, each weighing 10,000 tons. The intimidating presence of these massive ships has drawn criticism from Southeast Asian nations, who accuse China of maritime bullying.
The latest incident highlights the growing challenges posed by China’s extensive maritime surveillance and deployment in the Indo-Pacific, a critical region for international trade and security.