Conclusion: Do rough seas lie ahead?

[extract] Strategic overview: China and India are the rising powers of Asia. However, elements of competition are evident in their strategic intentions, and much of this competition seems likely to be played out in the maritime domain, particularly in Southeast Asian waters. Hitherto China and India have operated in their exclusive spheres of interest - India in the Indian Ocean and China in the East Asian seas - but this will change. China is extending its operations into the Indian Ocean, and India into the East Asian seas. How this overlap of strategic interests will develop is a vital question for the Indo-Pacific region generally, and for Southeast Asia in particular.