Pallam Raju, India's minister of state for defense, sent a welcoming message last week when he said India's navy would help China secure shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean.
"India was 'happy' to assist China to keep open vital sea lanes between the Middle East and Asia in order to guard against piracy or conflict," he was quoted as saying by the media.
Recently shadows have hung over the Indian Ocean. Media reports disclosed that India is increasing its military presence around the ocean, deploying the Su-30MKI fighter jets and Agni-III missiles with a range of 3,500 kilometers.
The move, deemed by many as primarily targeting China, adds another layer of uncertainty to regional stability. As a sense of rivalry with China seems to dominate public opinion in India, Raju's remarks offer some much-needed assurance.
Skepticism over India's military build-up is not groundless. Last week, India was reported to have sent more troops to the northeast regions that border China.
A leading regional power, India intends to assume a bigger role in South Asia. But that raises the question of how India is going to use its increasing power. The dominance India is seeking has to be conducive to the equilibrium of the current international order.
Nobody wants to see piracy running wild in the Indian Ocean. But India needs to make clearer its military intentions to ease the nerves of its neighbors.
A promise of protecting the public good in the region is a good start.
Worry about China competing for dominance of the Indian Ocean runs deep inside India. Such worries are unnecessary.
China watches closely over the Indian Ocean because oil imported from the Middle East and Africa has to go through it.
If India has the capability to provide security to passing vessels from the hassle of pirates, what's wrong with that?
After all, the two countries share many mutual interests in issues such as trade and fighting terrorism. Last year, China and India discussed the possibilities of combating Somali pirates together.
We hope Raju's remarks are more than just a diplomatic posture made for temporary convenience, and instead represent a genuinely positive response to China's position that the two countries have to find a way to cooperate.
That would demonstrate that India is considering seriously new ways of cooperating with China.
More important will be whether or not India's words turn into action. It will take time for India's true intentions to become clear.
to Sino-Indian ties.
