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The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
India must remain proactive in countering combined naval threat from China, Pakistan: Parliamentary Panel
The Parliamentary Panel on External Affairs has expressed "concern" over the "escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), saying the development poses "substantial risks" to India's national security and broader strategic interests. Of "equal concern" is the "strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus", which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also "advances Pakistan's naval modernisation", the committee said in its report on "Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy" that was presented in Parliament on Monday (August 12, 2025). The committee said it believes that "these developments must be addressed with urgency, as they have the potential to shift the balance of power in the region, challenging India's strategic autonomy and undermining its influence over key maritime chokepoints". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR— geopolitical, maritime security threats and infrastructure and connectivity gaps. The committee enquired about the "strategic challenges" faced by India in the IOR. "In a written reply, the Ministry stated that strategic challenges for India in the IOR include threats to maritime traffic, piracy, terrorism, concerns about freedom of navigation and overflights, and concerns about safeguarding sovereignty and independence," the report said. Another challenge is the "growing presence of extra-regional players" in the region, especially "China gaining a foothold" in the IOR, it added. "China has been undertaking several infrastructure projects focusing on ports, airports and the logistics sector for dual-use purposes, in addition to deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data of the region," the panel said in the report. It expressed "concern regarding the escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence in the Indian Ocean Region, a development which poses substantial risks to India's national security and broader strategic interests". The committee further said it recognises that China's enhanced naval capabilities, exemplified by the "growing size of its fleet, including over 15 units commissioned annually, have now surpassed the United States Navy, making it the world's largest naval force". The induction of advanced warships, including "multiple Carrier Battle Groups and an additional aircraft carrier", along with the regular deployment of Chinese submarines and naval vessels, demonstrates a "clear and growing strategic interest by China in consolidating its position in the IOR", the panel said. "The strategic positioning of Chinese military and commercial infrastructure across key maritime chokepoints, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 'String of Pearls' strategy, is gradually reconfiguring the region's geopolitical dynamics in favour of Chinese interests," it said. The committee said, "Equal concern is the strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus, which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also advances Pakistan's naval modernisation". "This cooperation complicates the security situation further, particularly in the context of the increasing Chinese influence over Pakistan's naval assets, which could destabilise the balance of power in the region," it flagged. In the considered view of the committee, "India must remain proactive in countering the combined naval threat from China and Pakistan by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and conducting joint exercises with partner countries to maintain strategic balance." The panel urged the government to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) through further integration of advanced technologies, such as satellite-based surveillance systems and artificial intelligence, to "monitor Chinese activities more effectively". This should be complemented by a "significant upgradation" in naval capabilities, including the induction of "advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessels, surveillance aircraft, and nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring India's readiness to respond to any emerging threat", the panel underlined in its report. India should also "deepen its strategic alliances" with regional powers and global partners to strengthen deterrence, it said. "Building closer ties with IOR littoral states through defence cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and joint maritime operations will be crucial in countering Chinese influence," the panel said. The Defence Ministry has told it that two Chinese Carrier Battle Groups are operational and a third and much more potent Aircraft Carrier Fujian is at "an advanced stage of pre-commissioning trial". In 2024, People's Liberation Army (Navy) ships have made "22 port calls in IOR countries" and undertaken military exercises with IOR littorals. "Pakistan Navy is also undergoing a major capability development programme with the induction of four Type 054 A/P frigates from China, four MILGEM Class Corvettes from Turkiye, and eight Hangor (Yuan Class Air Independent Propulsion Capable submarines from China, state-of-the-art aircraft and unmanned assets, among others," the report says. It said that from a maritime security standpoint, "India regards the BRI and the String of Pearls strategy as attempts to reshape the strategic geography by diluting India's maritime influence in the IOR and altering it in China's favour".
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India should act proactively against China-Pak naval challenge: Parliament panel
The parliamentary panel on external affairs has expressed "concern" over the "escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), saying the development poses "substantial risks" to India's national security and broader strategic interests. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR -- geopolitical, maritime security threats and infrastructure and connectivity gaps. (Pic used for representation)(AP file) Of "equal concern" is the "strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus", which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also "advances Pakistan's naval modernisation", the committee said in its report on "Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy" that was presented in Parliament on Monday. The committee said it believes that "these developments must be addressed with urgency, as they have the potential to shift the balance of power in the region, challenging India's strategic autonomy and undermining its influence over key maritime chokepoints". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR -- geopolitical, maritime security threats and infrastructure and connectivity gaps. The committee enquired about the "strategic challenges" faced by India in the IOR. "In a written reply, the ministry stated that strategic challenges for India in the IOR include threats to maritime traffic, piracy, terrorism, concerns about freedom of navigation and overflights, and concerns about safeguarding sovereignty and independence," the report said. Another challenge is the "growing presence of extra-regional players" in the region, especially "China gaining a foothold" in the IOR, it added. "China has been undertaking several infrastructure projects focusing on ports, airports and the logistics sector for dual-use purposes, in addition to deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data of the region," the panel said in the report. It expressed "concern regarding the escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence in the Indian Ocean Region, a development which poses substantial risks to India's national security and broader strategic interests". The committee further said it recognises that China's enhanced naval capabilities, exemplified by the "growing size of its fleet, including over 15 units commissioned annually, have now surpassed the United States Navy, making it the world's largest naval force". The induction of advanced warships, including "multiple Carrier Battle Groups and an additional aircraft carrier", along with the regular deployment of Chinese submarines and naval vessels, demonstrates a "clear and growing strategic interest by China in consolidating its position in the IOR", the panel said. "The strategic positioning of Chinese military and commercial infrastructure across key maritime chokepoints, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 'String of Pearls' strategy, is gradually reconfiguring the region's geopolitical dynamics in favour of Chinese interests," it said. The committee said, "Equal concern is the strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus, which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also advances Pakistan's naval modernisation". "This cooperation complicates the security situation further, particularly in the context of the increasing Chinese influence over Pakistan's naval assets, which could destabilise the balance of power in the region," it flagged. In the considered view of the committee, "India must remain proactive in countering the combined naval threat from China and Pakistan by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and conducting joint exercises with partner countries to maintain strategic balance." The panel urged the government to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) through further integration of advanced technologies, such as satellite-based surveillance systems and artificial intelligence, to "monitor Chinese activities more effectively". This should be complemented by a "significant upgradation" in naval capabilities, including the induction of "advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessels, surveillance aircraft, and nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring India's readiness to respond to any emerging threat", the panel underlined in its report. India should also "deepen its strategic alliances" with regional powers and global partners to strengthen deterrence, it said. "Building closer ties with IOR littoral states through defence cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and joint maritime operations will be crucial in countering Chinese influence," the panel said. The defence ministry has told it that two Chinese Carrier Battle Groups are operational and a third and much more potent Aircraft Carrier Fujian is at "an advanced stage of pre-commissioning trial". In 2024, People's Liberation Army (Navy) ships have made "22 port calls in IOR countries" and undertaken military exercises with IOR littorals. "Pakistan Navy is also undergoing a major capability development programme with the induction of four Type 054 A/P frigates from China, four MILGEM Class Corvettes from Turkiye, and eight Hangor (Yuan Class Air Independent Propulsion Capable submarines from China, state-of-the-art aircraft and unmanned assets, among others," the report says. It said that from a maritime security standpoint, "India regards the BRI and the String of Pearls strategy as attempts to reshape the strategic geography by diluting India's maritime influence in the IOR and altering it in China's favour".
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
India must remain proactive in countering combined naval threat from China, Pak: Parliamentary panel
The parliamentary panel on external affairs has expressed "concern" regarding the "escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence" in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), saying the development poses "substantial risks" to India's national security and broader strategic "equal concern" is the "strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus", which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also "advances Pakistan's naval modernisation", the committee said in its report on "Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy" that was presented in Parliament on committee said it believes that "these developments must be addressed with urgency, as they have the potential to shift the balance of power in the region, challenging India's strategic autonomy and undermining its influence over key maritime chokepoints".The IOR has nearly 40 per cent of the world's population, which is spread over around 35 littoral states. India has an extensive coastline of 7,500 km and more than 1,300 islands between Lakshadweep in the west and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the east, the government said, highlighting the significance of the region. The report of the panel, headed by Congress MP and former Union minister Shashi Tharoor, runs into more than 130 pages. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has broadly identified three challenges in the IOR -- the geopolitical challenge, maritime security threats and infrastructure and connectivity committee enquired about the "strategic challenges" faced by India in the IOR."In a written reply, the ministry stated that strategic challenges for India in the IOR include threats to maritime traffic, piracy, terrorism, concerns about freedom of navigation and overflights, and concerns of safeguarding of sovereignty and of independence," the report challenge is the "growing presence of extra-regional players" in the region, especially "China gaining a foothold" in the IOR, it added. "China has been undertaking several infrastructure projects focussing on ports, airport and logistics sector for dual-use purpose, in addition to deploying research and survey vessels in the region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive oceanography and marine data of the region," the panel said in the report. It expressed "concern regarding the escalating Chinese presence and its increasing influence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), a development which poses substantial risks to India's national security and broader strategic interests", according to the committee further said it recognises that China's enhanced naval capabilities, exemplified by the "growing size of its fleet, including over 15 units commissioned annually, have now surpassed the United States Navy, making it the world's largest naval force".The induction of advanced warships, including "multiple Carrier Battle Groups and an additional aircraft carrier", along with the regular deployment of Chinese submarines and naval vessels, demonstrates a "clear and growing strategic interest by China in consolidating its position in the IOR", the panel said. "The strategic positioning of Chinese military and commercial infrastructure across key maritime chokepoints, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the 'String of Pearls' strategy, is gradually reconfiguring the region's geopolitical dynamics in favour of Chinese interests," it said. The Committee on External Affairs said that of "equal concern is the strengthening of the China-Pakistan naval nexus, which not only facilitates joint military exercises, but also advances Pakistan's naval modernisation"."This cooperation complicates the security situation further, particularly in the context of the increasing Chinese influence over Pakistan's naval assets, which could destabilise the balance of power in the region," it the considered view of the committee, "India must remain proactive in countering the combined naval threat from China and Pakistan by bolstering its own deterrence capabilities and conducting joint exercises with partner countries to maintain strategic balance." The panel urged the government to enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) through further integration of advanced technologies, such as satellite-based surveillance systems and artificial intelligence, to "monitor Chinese activities more effectively".This should be complemented by a "significant upgradation" in naval capabilities, including the induction of "advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessels, surveillance aircraft, and nuclear-powered submarines, ensuring India's readiness to respond to any emerging threat", the panel underlined in its should also "deepen its strategic alliances" with regional powers and global partners, particularly through forums such as the Quad, to ensure collective security and strengthen deterrence, it said. "Building closer ties with IOR littoral states through defence cooperation, capacity-building initiatives, and joint maritime operations will be crucial in countering Chinese influence," the panel recommended.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
No gaps in defence preparedness, govt tells Parliament committee
NEW DELHI: There are no gaps in India's defence preparedness and efforts have been made to ramp up logistical provisions for the armed forces, a Parliamentary committee was informed on Tuesday, said people aware of the details. The committee was also informed about India's Indian Ocean Strategy and the efforts being made to secure the seas, in the wake of strategic challenges such as threats to maritime traffic, piracy and terrorism and China's growing footprint in the region said people quoted above. Several lawmakers raised the issue of expatriation of Indians stuck in war-torn Iran. At a meeting, of the standing committee on external affairs chaired by Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor that was attended by lawmakers and senior officials of the ministries of defence and external affairs, the government put forth that how India is prepared to secure its land, skies and seas. According to a person privy to the details, while there was no discussion on Operation Sindoor, India's military response against terror camps in Pakistan, lawmakers sought to know details about the country's preparedness for war and attacks and whether adequate provisions have been made to provide arms and equipment for the armed forces. 'There were some questions on whether our allocation for the defence budget is we are prepared if Pakistan ups the ante. Government officials said we are ready and well equipped,' said the person, speaking on condition of anonymity. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Tharoor said the discussion was on an ongoing subject of India's Indian Ocean Strategy, which is a foreign policy subject that has important defence dimensions. 'We also had the Defence Secretary and the Navy present to brief us. The discussion was outstanding. We spent more than two and a half hours in serious conversation on various aspects, which you will see in the report submitted to Parliament...' he told ANI. Tharoor, who recently led a delegation of lawmakers to USA, Panama, Brazil and Colombia as part of a diplomatic outreach on Operation Sindoor said "... All of this (Blue Water Navy) was discussed... The whole idea of the Blue Water Navy, our military capacity beyond that, everything was thoroughly discussed. Operation Sindoor was not discussed, but some of the elements that became apparent during that confrontation came up in conversations..." On PM Modi's visit to Canada for the G7 Summit, Tharoor said, "The G7 are no longer the seven largest economies in the world because India and China are there and should be part of the G7 by that logic. But still, they're very influential countries. They have very good coordination amongst themselves. And for our Prime Minister to have an opportunity to talk to them, to have a role with them, to let his concerns be shared with them is always very important. There's nothing that we need to worry about. I'm sure that while the Prime Minister is there, very important conversations will take place, and we'll hear about them when the Foreign Secretary is back from the trip..." Several lawmakers raised the issue of the Israel-Iran conflict and the impact it has on the Indians stranded in Iran. 'There was at least one MP who said India has not issued a statement on the conflict...' AIMIM lawmaker Assadudin Owaisi is also learnt to have sought help for the return of 133 Hyderabad residents from Iraq. 'He said these people, mostly Shia Muslims are stranded because of air space restrictions and the Indian embassy in Kuwait should provide them e-Visas to be able to travel there and then get on to flights to India,' said a second person aware of the details. On India's commitment to the well-being and progress of nations of the Indian Ocean, the lawmakers were informed that the objective was to promote greater prosperity in the region and making the Indian Ocean a free, open and inclusive space.
India Gazette
17-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Parliamentary panel holds comprehensive discussion on India's Indian Ocean Strategy
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on Tuesday discussed India's Indian Ocean Strategy including the idea of the Blue Water Navy. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Chairman of Committee Shashi Tharoor said that Operation Sindoor was not discussed, but some of the elements that became apparent during that confrontation came up in conversations. Apart from the members, the meeting was attended by Defence Secretary, Secretary (East) in MEA and Vice Chief of Navy. The agenda of the meeting was 'Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy' with representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence to give oral evidence for examination of the subject. Tharoor described the discussion as 'outstanding' and said every one of the committee members present asked questions. 'We had an ongoing subject called India's Indian Ocean Strategy, which is a foreign policy subject that has important defence dimensions. We also had the Defence Secretary and the Navy present to brief us. The discussions were outstanding. We spent more than two-and-a-half hours in serious conversation on various aspects, which you will see in the report submitted to Parliament. We were blessed to have the Vice Chief of the Navy, the Defence Secretary, and the Secretary East of the Ministry of External Affairs. It was a very thorough discussion,' Tharoor said. 'Every single one of the committee members present asked questions... It's a tremendous sense of involvement in this discussion. We'll have a good report coming out of this very comprehensive discussion... All of this (Blue Water Navy) was discussed... The whole idea of the Blue Water Navy, our military capacity beyond that, everything was thoroughly discussed,' he added. The MPs present at the meeting included BJP's Nishikant Dubey, Arun Govil and RPN Singh and Congress MP KC Venugopal. The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) had last month hosted the 'Second Blue Talks' in the national capital. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Costa Rica in India. India's maritime heritage is deeply rooted in its ancient traditions and rich history, with references to maritime activities found as early as the Rig Veda. Evidence from Indian literature, art, sculpture, painting, and archaeology underscores the existence of a vibrant maritime tradition that shaped the nation's identity. Modern India's maritime prowess manifests across all domains with its impressive 7,500 km coastline, 13 major ports, and 200 non-major ports, establishing it as an undisputed maritime powerhouse. Indian port's remarkable annual handling cargo capacity underscores the maritime sector's pivotal role in our economic landscape. The maritime sector facilitates around 95% of India's trade volume, and that accounts for 70% of its value, capitalising on the country's strategic Indian Ocean position. India's Navy is a full-fledged 'Blue Water Force with Green Footprint'. (ANI)
