AMERICAN.COM

Did a Chinese warship confront an Indian one in international waters off the coast of Vietnam in July?

Yes, says the Financial Times in a story jointly datelined from Hanoi and New Delhi. No, say the Indian foreign and defense ministries in tersely worded statements. What the FT calls “the latest example of China’s naval assertiveness” is brushed off by India’s foreign ministry as a possible prank:

The Indian Naval vessel, INS Airavat, paid a friendly visit to Vietnam between 19 to 28 July 2011. On July 22, INS Airavat sailed from the Vietnamese port of Nha Trang towards Hai Phong, where it was to make a port call. At a distance of 45 nautical miles from the Vietnamese coast in the South China Sea, it was contacted on open radio channel by a caller identifying himself as the “Chinese Navy” stating that “you are entering Chinese waters”. No ship or aircraft was visible from INS Airavat, which proceeded on her onward journey as scheduled.

While it’s hard to say what really happened, at least three things are clear. First, that if the Chinese did indeed confront the Indian warship, it would fit into a pattern of aggressive Chinese claims in the South China Sea, and face-offs with countries that contest those claims. Second, that India’s political leadership has every reason to tamp down such an event, for fear that in India’s brutally competitive TV news environment the story could quickly escalate to the level of a crisis. Third, that India has quietly reaffirmed its position on the South China Sea as being part of international waters freely navigable by ships of all nations.