ABSTRACT
The introductory chapter attempts to situate the tension-fraught Indo-Pacific region, in general, and the contested South China Sea region, in particular, as the backdrop for analysing the challenges posed to the rules-based liberal international order. It bases its analysis on the volatile scenario in the South China Sea, arising from conflicting and overlapping claims to sovereignty among claimant states. Although India is neither a South China Sea littoral state, nor claimant to any territory therein, the chapter identifies and analyses the factors and concerns that determine and stimulate its engagement and policy responses, as well as explains the theoretical framework of the study.
