New Delhi, Feb 28: China has been steadily increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) over the past few decades, with six to eight naval ships of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) deployed in the area at any given time. However, India remains vigilant, tracking every movement, which is "more than half the battle won," stated Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Friday.
Speaking at The Chanakya Dialogues conclave on the theme ‘Bharat 2047: Aatmanirbhar in War’, Admiral Tripathi asserted that India has successfully prevented China from establishing a presence in areas deemed strategically sensitive.
"China’s presence in the Indian Ocean has grown over the years, not just in the waters but also on land. The PLAN, which is currently the largest navy in terms of numbers, maintains a constant presence of 6-8 capable combatants in the region despite the near eradication of piracy," he noted.
India’s Maritime Vigilance and Surveillance Capabilities
Highlighting India's maritime domain awareness, Admiral Tripathi stated that the Navy employs a combination of manned and unmanned technologies, space-based surveillance, and international intelligence-sharing mechanisms to monitor activities in the region."This level of awareness ensures that we know exactly who goes where, and that gives us a strategic advantage," he emphasized.
While China initially justified its naval deployments in the Indian Ocean under the guise of anti-piracy operations, Admiral Tripathi pointed out that the reality has since shifted.
"Their primary excuse for entering the Indian Ocean was anti-piracy efforts, but piracy has long ceased to be a threat. Instead, we now see a significant presence of research vessels, satellite tracking ships, and deep-sea fishing fleets, often engaging in unregulated and irregular activities," he stated.
Although India cannot directly prevent China’s maritime activities in international waters, Admiral Tripathi reaffirmed that New Delhi remains steadfast in protecting its areas of strategic interest.
China-Pakistan Maritime Collaboration and India's Preparedness
Addressing concerns over China’s support to Pakistan’s naval capabilities, Admiral Tripathi noted that Beijing has been supplying advanced maritime equipment to Islamabad for over two decades."Since 2009, China has provided Pakistan with three F-22 frigates and four Type 054 warships. They have also supplied a satellite tracking ship, and more recently, an agreement was signed for eight submarines," he revealed.
Acknowledging the potential threat posed by these submarines to India's maritime security and trade, he assured that the Indian Navy is actively devising countermeasures.
"India is taking all necessary steps to safeguard its maritime interests and ensure that the growing naval collaboration between China and Pakistan does not pose a risk to our security," he concluded.
India’s proactive maritime strategy underscores its commitment to maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean, a region of increasing geopolitical significance.