The Navy Chief, China Increased Its Presence In The Indian Ocean By Utilising Anti-Piracy Operations

Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the chief of the naval staff, claimed on Wednesday that by utilising anti-piracy operations, China has continuously maintained a presence in the Indian Ocean region since 2008.

The Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses reports that since 2008, China has stationed 120 warships in the Indian Ocean as part of its anti-piracy operations. Furthermore, China sent a nuclear attack submarine to the Gulf of Aden in 2015 to participate in anti-piracy operations.

The institute has found that nuclear attack submarines are inappropriate for anti-piracy activities.

In the IOR (Indian Ocean Region), Kumar added, “We have anywhere between five and eight Chinese Navy units operating, be they battleships or research vessels, and a host of Chinese fishing vessels.” We monitor them and observe how they conduct their actions in the IOR.

At the 49th All India Management Association annual management convention, Kumar gave a speech about the security issues that India is currently facing.

A Chinese ship docked in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port last month despite India’s security worries that it would spy on its military facilities. While the Yuan Wang 5 has been referred to as a research and survey vessel and has docked in the Chinese-built and leased Hambantota port, Indian media reports have suggested that it is actually a dual-use espionage ship.

The Navy chief noted that China now has a base in Djibouti and has been actively involved in the development of numerous ports in the Indian Ocean region, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan, and many other nations.

China’s naval base in Djibouti, which cost $590 million (Rs 4,711 crore), is the country’s first foreign military installation in the Indian Ocean. The base with Chinese warships is situated in the vital Bab-El-Mandeb Strait, which divides the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden and protects the Suez Canal’s approach.

The Indian defence forces, Kumar, are constantly in competition with nations nearby. Without resorting to force, he said, a battle with potential foes may never be completely ruled out.

“To the west,” he observed, “Pakistan has continued its military modernization despite economic restrictions, especially its Navy, which is on track to become a 50-platform force.”