Four ships will be sent on a two-month mission to southeast Asia, the South China Sea and the western Pacific, according to the navy who released a statement on Wednesday. The ships include a guided missile destroyer and a missile frigate.
"The deployment of the Indian Navy ships seeks to underscore the operational reach, peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain,” the navy statement read.
The two-month deployment will also include exercises with the Quad alliance, including the US, Japan and Australia, according to India's Defence Ministry.
“These maritime initiatives enhance synergy and coordination between the Indian Navy and friendly countries, based on common maritime interests and commitment towards Freedom of Navigation at sea," the statement added.
The Quad alliance of the US, Japan, India and Australia is the US President's initiative to subdue China's territorial claims.
China claims most of the 1.3 million square mile South China Sea and India is the latest country to send ships into the area.
The UK's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth entered the South China Sea last week but it is not expected to sail close to the disputed Spratly and Paracel Islands.
The aircraft carrier will carry out navigational operations alongside US ships.
“It’s no secret that China shadows and challenges ships transiting international waters on very legitimate routes,” Ben Wallace, UK defence secretary, told the Times.
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