Chinese activity in Indian Ocean no threat to India, says Navy Chief Admiral Verma

New Delhi, Dec.2 (ANI): Admiral Nirmal Verma, the Indian Navy Chief on Wednesday said that there is no threat to the country from Chinese activity in the Indian Ocean region.

Replying to a question on the threat perception of the Navy from Chinese activity in Indian Ocean, the Chief of Naval Staff said that the deployment might be to help some of the countries with which China has friendly relations.

"If you see today, the amount of energy requirements, as far as China is concerned, the ... it's a very substantial amount that they have. So, I suppose that like we have concerns about our own sea lines of communication, I expect that there may be similar concerns as far as they (China) are concerned. So, to that extent I would say they maybe taking steps. On one hand the deployment that they maybe doing from time to time or any other steps that are there with respect to helping out some of the countries with which they have good bilateral relations," said Admiral Nirmal Verma said during a press conference, ahead of the Navy Day to be celebrated on December 4.

Admiral Verma mentioned that India is doing all that was required to safeguard its interests.

"As far as we are concerned, we have our own requirements as we assess them how do we protect India's maritime interests in the Indian Ocean region and beyond. And all that is required to be done is being done (despite) whatever else others may be doing in this regard. We are both growing powers, growing economies, so certainly there would be great amount of trade and reliance... and the concerns I suppose would be understandable for both sides," noted Admiral Nirmal Verma. (ANI)