NDTVTue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00 UTC
Addressing a press conference in Delhi ahead of the Navy Day celebrations on December 4, Admiral Singh said: "China has increased presence in the Indian Ocean since 2008. We are keenly watching them."
© ANIAdmiral Karambir Singh also stressed that the India Navy is fully aware about Pakistan's intention.
Admiral Karambir Singh also stressed that the India Navy is fully aware about Pakistan's intention.
India is keenly watching China's increasing presence in the Indian Ocean region, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said on Tuesday, assuring that India is capable of thwarting any threat.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi ahead of the Navy Day celebrations on December 4, Admiral Singh said: "China has increased presence in the Indian Ocean since 2008. We are keenly watching them."
"There are Chinese oceanographic research vessels in the exclusive economic zone. On an average seven to eight vessels are present near this zone. They are here sometimes to carry out mining, sometime as anti-piracy squad," said Admiral Singh, adding that the Indian Navy carries out whatever prompt action is needed.
Admiral Karambir Singh also stressed that the India Navy is fully aware about Pakistan's intention in the Indian Ocean region.
"We also know about the intelligence input about that terror groups planning to enter India through sea routes. We have put an adequate defence mechanism to thwart any threats," Admiral Singh said.
Comment: Indian ocean island nation Sri Lanka elected Gotabaya Rajapaksa as their new president last month. Newly elected Pro-China Sri Lankan president paid his
first foreign visit to India. It will be
interesting to see how India's relations with Sri Lanka change.
According to observers, with pro-China Rajapaksa winning the election, the result will have a bearing on India's presence in the Indian Ocean region where Beijing is increasingly making inroads.
China, which has acquired Sri Lanka's Hambantota port in 2017 as a debt swap, has been ramping up its ties with the island nation and expanded its naval presence in the Indian Ocean with an established logistics base in Djibouti.
Beijing in July gifted a warship to Sri Lanka, in a growing sign of its deepening military cooperation with the strategically located island nation in the Indian Ocean.
Rajapaksa's election manifesto had outlined a new approach to build relations with India for regional security.
Comment: Indian ocean island nation Sri Lanka elected Gotabaya Rajapaksa as their new president last month. Newly elected Pro-China Sri Lankan president paid his first foreign visit to India. It will be interesting to see how India's relations with Sri Lanka change.