INDIA’S MARITIME SECURITY STRATEGY: THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INDIA-VIETNAM MARITIME SECURITY COOPERATION IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA REGION TO COUNTER CHINA’S ASSERTIVENESS (2014 – 2018)

Abstract

South China Sea is not only in the interests of the surrounding countries, it has long been in the spotlight of the world with its natural wealth. China‟s interest in the SCS is growing and China‟s ambition over the region is part of China‟s assertiveness, especially in China‟s defense spending and maritime expansion in the SCS. India and Vietnam are having converging threat perceptions towards China‟s assertiveness in the SCS as well as sharing common interests to respond to China‟s assertiveness. The relationship between India and Vietnam is getting closer as signaled by an increased level of cooperation between the two states from ”strategic partnership” to “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2016. The implementation of India-Vietnam maritime security cooperation in responding to China‟s assertiveness in South China Sea is a form of the focus on India‟s “Act East” policy announced by Indian PM Narendra Modi. This thesis will explain India-Vietnam maritime security cooperation in the South China Sea region with the concept of balance of threat and their strategic partnership in maritime security.