'Era of development, not expansionism': From UK, PM Modi's stern message to China on Indo-Pacific tensions

Time of India

6 days ago

Prime Minister Narendra Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, in no uncertain terms, reaffirmed India's stand against expansionism, a veiled reference to Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the press briefing with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after India and the UK signed the landmark free trade agreement (FTA), PM Modi said the "demand of the present era is not expansionism, but developmentalism".
"We have continued to share views on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the situation in West Asia. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations is essential," PM Modi said.
China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific has become a central concern for regional and global powers alike. At the heart of the issue is Beijing's growing assertiveness, both military and strategic, across vital waterways and territories.
In the South China Sea, China claims nearly the entire region through a controversial 'Nine-Dash Line,' despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling in favour of the Philippines that invalidated these claims.
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China has ignored the ruling and instead built artificial islands, turned them into military outposts with airstrips and missile systems, and has routinely blocked other nations like Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines from accessing their own waters.
In the East China Sea, tensions persist with Japan over the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyu by China), with frequent incursions by Chinese naval and air forces that risk sparking a direct confrontation.
Similarly, across the Taiwan Strait, China continues to threaten the self-ruled island of Taiwan, viewing it as a breakaway province. Beijing regularly conducts large-scale military drills around Taiwan, sends fighter jets into its air defence zone, and attempts to isolate the island diplomatically, raising fears of a potential invasion.
In the Indian Ocean, China is expanding its footprint through what many analysts call a 'String of Pearls' strategy by building or financing ports and strategic infrastructure in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan (Gwadar), and parts of East Africa.
While these moves are presented as economic partnerships, they are viewed as attempts to encircle India and project power far beyond China's shores. Beijing has also embraced an aggressive diplomatic posture, often referred to as 'Wolf Warrior diplomacy', where it lashes out at countries that challenge its positions, including Australia, India, and the Philippines.
India, in response, has taken multiple steps to counterbalance China's influence. It has deepened strategic ties with like-minded nations through the Quad alliance (India, US, Japan, and Australia), increased its participation in joint naval drills, and boosted maritime surveillance and infrastructure across the Indian Ocean Region.
As the geopolitical contest heats up, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as the most critical arena in the ongoing power struggle between a rising China and countries that support a free, open, and rules-based order.