Dear Editor,
India need not commit itself to the US’s re-balance to Asia policy to the extent that it loses its sovereign autonomy, but it is important to check Chinese belligerence through cooperation with other nations.
India should participate in multilateral defence exercises while asserting an independent freedom of navigation policy, based on the UN Convention on the Law of Sea. It must also enhance its economic clout and modernise the Navy so that, when needed, India is powerful enough to flex its muscles.
Dhruv Bhardwaj
Noida
