In a controversial move, India on Monday announced that it will set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam.  This would reportedly help Hanoi to keep an eye on its neighbor China amid the dispute over the South China Sea.           

Like Us on Facebook

This annoncement from India comes close on the heels of recent weeks of tension between Vietnam and China over the disputed South China Sea. The U.S. has been forced to intervene to diffuse the tension between two countries.

Although India has officially stated that the satellite to be installed in Vietnam will be used only for civilian purposes, experts believe that since 'improved imaging technology' is part of this satellite, it can be clearly used for military purpose.

According to reports, India has also offered millions in credits to Vietnam to buy patrol boats and is also training Vietnamese submariners in India. In exchange Vietnam has reportedly offered oil exploration blocks to India in the disputed South China Sea.

Experts believe that India's move to strategically engage with Vietnam is a part of ongoing battle between India and China, as both countries are seeking to expand their influence in Asian continent.

"In military terms, this move could be quite significant," said Collin Koh, a marine security expert at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "It looks like a win-win for both sides, filling significant holes for the Vietnamese and expanding the range for the Indians."

China is yet to make any official statement over the latest engagement between India and Vietnam, but many say these latest developments are certainly not going to be well received in Beijing.             

History of hostility between India and China

India and China, two of the biggest Asian countries, have not been exactly good neighbors. Both countries have been locked in bitter border disputes for decades. Both countries have competing claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which today is a part of India.

At present India and China are also two of the fastest growing economies and hence both see each other as an emerging power. In a bid to consolidate their status as 'emerging powers,' both countries are aggressively pursuing cold war strategies to expand their influence in the Asian continent.

While China continues to aggressively foster its friendship with Pakistan - India's arch rival -, India on other hand has been warming up to China's bitter neighbors Japan and Vietnam. 

Tagschina, China and Vietnam, South China Sea