No tension between Indian, China in Indian Ocean Region, says Sitharaman

The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to India’s strategic interests.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday that there is no tension between the navies of India and China in the strategic Indian Ocean, which has been witnessing increasing activities by the PLA Navy.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman is being introduced by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba to Naval Commanders during Naval Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on May 8. (PTI Photo)

Responding to a question on the “tussle” between China and India in the Indian Ocean Region, Sitharaman sought to downplay the issue and said, “There was no tension in the Indian Ocean, in the Navy against China.”

The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to India’s strategic interests. Over the years, the region has witnessed increasing Chinese presence.

China increased its presence in the Indian Ocean Region by constructing the deep-sea Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan and a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. The region also has Chinese ships deployed for anti-piracy operations.

On April 16, the Indian Navy on Twitter welcomed China’s PLA Navy in the Indian Ocean Region.

“#MaritimeDomainAwareness @indiannavy extends a warm welcome to the 29th Anti-Piracy Escort Force (APEF) of PLA(N) in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Happy Hunting @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @IAF_MCC @adgpi @IndiaCoastGuard @IndianDiplomacy,” it tweeted.

The defence personnel of the two countries were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam area near Sikkim last year and it had resulted in tension between the two Asian giants.

Reacting to reports that there was a directive to the Army not to be aggressive on the borders, Sitharaman said she was not aware of it.