LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1099
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
CHINA’S PRESENCE IN INDIAN OCEAN
1099. PROF. SOUGATA RAY
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether China’s growing presence in Indian Ocean Region is a strategic challenge for India, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether China is undertaking several infrastructural projects focusing on ports, airports and the logistic sector for dual use purposes which will be a threat to our security, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether China has been deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data from the Indian Ocean Region, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The Government is aware of China’s stated objective of becoming a ‘maritime power’. As part of this strategy, China is developing ports and other infrastructure facilities in the littoral countries in the Indian Ocean Region. China also has naval and maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region including through anti-piracy escort missions, port calls and deployment of research and survey vessels.
Government closely monitors all developments in the Indian Ocean Region impinging on India’s security and economic interests and takes appropriate measures to safeguard India’s interests.
Our relations with countries in the Indian Ocean Region are comprehensive and long-standing, based on their own merit and are independent of their relations with any third countries. Countries such as Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius like occupy a central place in India’s ‘Neighborhood First’ Policy and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. Our political relations with countries of the region are strong, trade and investment ties are being augmented, development projects and infrastructural cooperation is progressing, and there is broad-based engagement across all sectors.