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โ€œWe keep a close watchโ€ฆโ€: Navy Chief on Chinese ships in Indian Ocean Region

New Delhi: Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Saturday said that the Indian Navy is keeping a close watch on all developments in the Indian Ocean, including the movement of Chinese Navy ships that operate in the region.
โ€œThere are a lot of Chinese ships which operate in the Indian Ocean Region. We have about 4-6 PLA Navy ships, then some research vessels which operate. A large number of Chinese fishing vessels operate in the Indian Ocean Region. We keep a close watch on all developments,โ€ the Navy Chief said during an annual presser. He noted that nearly 60-odd other extra-regional forces are always present in Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
โ€œWe are aware itโ€™s a vital region where there is a large amount of trade which transits, energy flows which happen. Our job is to see that Indiaโ€™s interests in the maritime domain are protected,โ€ he added.
These remarks come as Chinese spy ships have been spotted in the Indian Ocean Region. Indian forces are reportedly keeping a close eye on their movements.
The Navy chief said maintaining a credible deterrence is the task of any armed force, especially the Navy. โ€œTo achieve that, we need to be ready to go in harmโ€™s way at really short notice.โ€
Admiral R Hari Kumar said the Navy is ready to โ€œprotect, preserve and promoteโ€ Indiaโ€™s national interest in the maritime domain. โ€œTo achieve this, we have the vision of being a combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-proof force.โ€

Also Read: โ€œIndian Constitution Is A Feminist Documentโ€: CJI Chandrachud

Citing recent global events like the Russia-Ukraine war, he said India cannot stay dependent on the world for its defence requirements. He added that the government has given the Navy very clear guidelines on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
โ€œRecent global events amply underscore that we canโ€™t remain dependent on others for our own security requirementsโ€ฆ Government has given us very clear guidelines on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and one of the Navyโ€™s commitments to the top leadership is that weโ€™ll become an Aatmanirbhar Navy by 2047,โ€ he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by HW News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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