Indian Ocean is not India's alone: China

1 July 2015 11:23 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Indian Ocean cannot be a backyard of India which navies of other countries could not visit, the Chinese ministry of defence has said.

As the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy expands its profile in the Indian Ocean with recent submarine visits to Sri Lanka and more recently Pakistan, its officials have moved to assuage India's concerns by emphasising its motivations were driven by trade and security and not aimed at India, Indian media reported.

Senior Captain Zhao Yi told visiting Indian journalists in Beijing on Tuesday that India had a "special role to play in stabilising the Indian Ocean region", but it could not be treated as its backyard.

"I admit that geographically speaking India has a special role to play in stabilising the Indian Ocean region and South Asian region. But [for the Indian Ocean], backyard is not a very appropriate word to use for an open sea and international areas of sea," he said.

He said if the Indian side views the Indian Ocean as its backyard, it cannot explain why navies from Russia, the United States and Australia have the right of free navigation in Indian Ocean.

He said one American scholar had warned of the possibility of "clashes" in the Indian Ocean. "I don't agree," Senior Captain Zhao said, but added: "If some countries view it as their backyard, then this [possibility] could not be eliminated."

The Chinese experts did, however, acknowledge the need for more transparency, especially in the wake of concerns in Indian strategic circles over submarine visits by the PLAN to Sri Lanka last year and to Pakistan earlier this year. China described both visits as routine.

"When most submarines navigate we inform our neighbouring countries to reduce concerns and enhance mutual trust," said Zhang Wei, Researcher of the PLA Navy Academic Institute. Zhang added that China's attention on the Indian Ocean Region was driven by trade, with key energy imports passing through the waters. "The Chinese navy's presence in the Indian Ocean is to protect maritime security and of sealines of communication. We should make efforts to strengthen trust. If there are still doubts and concerns of navigation in the Indian Ocean then I believe we haven't done enough to enhance mutual trust," said Zhang. (Business Standard and India Today)

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Comments - 10

Sikuru Wednesday, 01 July 2015 04:56 PM

Both India and China should keep SL out of their Rivalry, China bribed MR so they can build bases in SL but no more

Amila Wednesday, 01 July 2015 05:04 PM

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, The sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea. So everyone should read this. Specially Chinese ministry of defence

Harry Wednesday, 01 July 2015 05:19 PM

Amila please read IMBL laws

Sapu Wednesday, 01 July 2015 05:23 PM

Well, MS clearly gave a no for China and China is now building a sub base in Pakistan, we are safe for now

Gun Wednesday, 01 July 2015 05:36 PM

China is talking through its hat!!! In that case the Chine sea and skies should be open to other ships and planes too. Anyway both countries should leave us alone and not make us pawns in their games. MR foolishly gave too many concessions to the Chinese so that he can personally gain from it and has put this country in a bigger mess. MR should have decided if he wanted to lose the country to The Chinese, The Indians or The LTTE. That is how weak are International standing is and we are gradually losing our sovereignty to the Chinese.

chris Wednesday, 01 July 2015 06:23 PM

We are better off with China than Double standing india. Truly India is the most hostile nation to Sri lanka.

Sam Wednesday, 01 July 2015 06:50 PM

How fast we forget which country helped the LTTE to start and which country helped us to stop it.

Sikuru Wednesday, 01 July 2015 07:25 PM

Some parts are hostile but the majority is not, India is another SAARC country and a partner in development as well

Dilip Thursday, 02 July 2015 12:51 PM

What Sam says is very correct.We Srilankans should change our attitudes fast ,other wise we will be heading for disaster.

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 02 July 2015 03:13 PM

Next they will say that even the islands that dot the Indian Ocean are not sovereign but subject to Chinese subjugation. It is MR who made the biggest blunder by inviting the Chinese to spread their wings all over Sri Lanka, for his personal benefit.

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Indian Ocean is not India's alone: China

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