We see you: Indian Navy ‘warmly’ trolls Chinese warships in Indian Ocean

Indian Navy on Tuesday extended a “warm welcome” and conveyed an unsmiling message – we see you – to Chinese warships sailing into the Indian Ocean.

Three Chinese warships, allegedly on an anti-piracy mission, entered the East Indian Ocean region. The Navy spotted them and extended “warm welcome” and wished them “happy hunting” but not without a telling message.

In a series of tongue-in-cheek tweets, the Navy told China that India was closely watching the Indian Ocean Region and will keep the Area of Responsibility (AOR) safe.

“#MaritimeDomainAwareness @indiannavy extends a warm welcome to the 29^th Anti-Piracy Escort Force (APEF) of PLA(N) in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Happy Hunting,” the Navy tweeted with pictures of Chinese anti-piracy vessels.

#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 pic.twitter.com/7NTW4TwQuW

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 17, 2018

In another tweet, Navy said that it was on a tight vigil 24X7 and deployed 50 ships to keep the Indian Ocean safe.  

“#MissionBasedDeployments From Persian Gulf to Malacca Straits & from Northern Bay of Bengal to Southern Indian Ocean to East coast of Africa @indiannavy with 50 ships on vigil 24X7 keep our Area of Responsibility (AOR) safe. @indiannavy Anytime, Anywhere Everytime @nsitharaman,” the Navy said in another tweet.

China has increased its presence in the Indian Ocean, misusing anti-piracy patrols and freedom of navigation.

The Chinese warships were said to be having 700 soldiers and two helicopters on board and was going towards the Gulf of Aden to carry out so-called anti-piracy missions off the Somali coast.