India, Vietnam: Testing China's Patience

In recent months, a brewing diplomatic row between India and China over oil and mineral exploration in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean has highlighted a strengthening relationship between India and Vietnam. For India, it is all part of its "Look East" policy as India tries to counterbalance China, but the South China Sea remains a low strategic priority for New Delhi. Meanwhile, Vietnam is benefiting from third-party involvement as it jockeys for position against China, which is watching the dalliance between India and Vietnam with keen interest.