Raisina Dialogue 2020: CPEC, BRI Impinge On India's Sovereignty, Says Admiral Karambir Singh

Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh on Wednesday said the Chinese involvement in the Indian ocean has increased and there have been instances when the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ships have entered India’s exclusive economic zones. Karambir Singh, who was speaking at India’s flagship global conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, 'Raisina Dialogue' said Indian Navy is carefully watching the actions of Chinese Navy in Indian ocean as it impinges on Indian interests.

When asked about any incident of Chinese encroachment in the Indian waters, Admiral Singh said in one such incident, recently, “we acted then, they respected and moved out”.

He was refering to the incident in which a Chinese naval ship was driven away from India’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Andaman sea.

Reacting on the presence of Chinese Navy in the Indian ocean region, the Navy chief said 7-8 PLA ships can be found at any given time in the region. 

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Admiral Singh also said China's Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor impinge on India's sovereignty.

Karambir Singh while speaking at the panel discussion also touched upon the preparations of Indian Navy said, “We have placed our ships in mission-based deployments so that we get an idea what are the activities, not only of China but of all other countries, so that if there is anything that impinges on our national interest or sovereignty, we will have to act.”

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Along with Admiral Singh, Japan’s Joint Staff of Self-Defense Forces Gen. Koji Yamazaki, Australia’s Vice Chief of the Defence Force Adm. David Johnston, France’s Deputy Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry of Armed Forces Gen. Luc de Rancourt, and the UK’s Chief of Naval Staff Adm. Tony Radakin, took part in the panel discussion, news agency PTI reported.

(With PTI inputs)