Government vigilant in Bay of Bengal following China's presence

Kolkata, Jan 23 (UNI) Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh today said the Government was taking measures to protect the country's strategic interests in the Bay of Bengal following reports of increasing naval presence of China in the region.

'' The government is aware of the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal and it is taking the required steps to protect the country's strategic interest, '' he told reporters after visiting the facilities at the Garden Reaach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) here.

He, however, refused to make any direct comment in reply to a question on China's increasing naval presence in the Bay of Bengal, saying he did not want to name any country.

Elaborating, Mr Singh said the Government was in the process of procuring modern vessels to strengthen the country's fleet strength in the region.

''Besides imports, we have placed orders for advanced vessels with all the shipyards. Their order books are full, '' he said.

Steps were also being taken to involve private players in defence production, the Minister added.

UNI