Depicting the highly-sensitive scenario in the Indian Ocean Region, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, on 3 December, said at any given time four to six Chinese warships are present in the region, indicating increasing forays by China. He, however, assured that the Indian Navy was keeping a close watch on the movement of these warships and would protect national interest.
While outlining the situation in the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific, the Navy chief also said the Ukraine conflict has taught India to be self-reliant in Defence production. The nearly 10-month-old war has not impacted the Navy’s procurements.
Giving a low down on the increasing Chinese visibility in the strategically important Indian Ocean, Admiral Kumar said there are a lot of Chinese ships in the region including research vessels, warships and merchant ships. The Indian Navy is keeping a close watch, he said adding there are more than 60 other extra-regional forces also present in the ‘vital region.’
Elaborating upon the importance of the Indian Ocean, Kumar said large amount of trade transits through the sea lanes of the region besides energy supply of several nations. The Indian Navy keeps track of the ships and will not allow vessels inimical to the country’s interest, the Navy chief said.
Informing that Chinese fishing vessels operate all over the world including the Indian Ocean Region, Admiral Kumar said, “our job is to track them through robust surveillance and not allow them to fish in India’s exclusive economic zone.”
On the issue of the Quad formation, the Navy chief said it is not a military treaty. Like-minded countries having democratic traditions have come together to form the grouping, Admiral Kumar said. China has all along criticised the Quad grouping claiming it will lead to the militarisation of the Indo-Pacific Region. US, Japan, India and Australia are part of the Quad grouping and regularly hold the Malabar series of naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific.
