In 1971, United States brought Senkaku islands to Japan’s administrative control. USA had earlier occupied these islands immediately after the WW II when Japan surrendered. USA & Japan have a treaty where USA is under obligation to protect Japan from any military aggression. Much earlier during 1968 certain Oil reserves were found in these islands. Both China & Taiwan claim these islands to be theirs. But Japan has been exercising control & sovereignty over these islands over years now, though they are uninhabited. Japan claims to have annexed these islands since 1895.
During September 2012, Japan nationalised these islands by purchasing them from the Kurihara family allegedly for 2.5 Billion Yen.
Trouble and rhetoric started when China objected to this when its Foreign Minister said ‘China would not sit back & watch’. Japan does not accept there being a dispute as it treats the islands as its integral part.
China has now taken up this issue to the UN much alike as Philipines took up the Scarborough shoals issue to the UN. China ended with a double whammy, the aggressor as well as the aggressed.
wikipedia map
For the first time in recent history after WW II, Japan is putting forth a military foot affront by retorting China of any adventure in these islands. USA technical as usual remains neutral, however encourages the Malabar exercises by bringing in India, Australia & USA naval forces for exercises. India invited Japan into these exercises on 25th of Jan, 2014, much riling China.
Earlier in 2007 when these exercises commenced in the Bay of Bengal region, with India, USA, Australia and Singapore navies participating in the Malabar war games, China registered its protest.
The ‘String of Pearls’ policy of China, India has its answer in a Diamond Necklace’ policy. India had to develop & improve its strategic relations with the China sea region countries.
Commodore Uday Bhasker of India comments that the Indian Naval tactical capability is much ahead of China’s, rightly after the above situation has emerged to India’s advantage.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to India to participate in its Republic Day parade and to have a closer look at India’s military might at display on Jan, 26th, 2014, preceded by the Japan’s royal visit during December 2013, followed by its Defence Minister visit, are crucial and well timed, seen from the above perspective.
Clearly China pulled its plug on the incursions both at Kashmir & Arunachal borders. China obviously has no capability to put down its foot on three theaters of war like situations.
yudhampragya 