New Delhi, May 7: The Indian Navy is concerned about the presence of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The activities of the PLAN is being closely monitored by the Indian Navy. Talking to Hindustan Times, Naval Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said that a fleet of 50 combat-ready Indian warships was carrying out round-the-clock surveillance.

According to Admiral Lanba, PLAN headquarters are now used for handling forward deployments. He further added, “Over the last decade, China has developed the capacity to operate its warships at a great distance from its shores and for long periods of time,” reported Hindustan Times.

Admiral Lanba is the chairman of chiefs of staff committee, a panel consisting of the three service chiefs. The presence of Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is India’s major concern about the intent of China in the region. China has adopted ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ under which it is acquiring the major region of strategic Importance. It has shored up China’s capabilities to sustain naval units in the Indian Ocean.

The latest example was taking control of the main port of Dijibouti. China began deploying troops to its first overseas naval base at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in July 2017. The United States and China had locked horns last week, as the Trump administration accusing China of directing powerful lasers at US aircraft flying over a Chinese military base in Djibouti. Last year, with more than $1 billion in debt to China, Sri Lanka handed over a port to companies owned by the Chinese government.

The navy chief also said that Chinese Navy had ‘deeper pockets’ than the Indian Navy. According to Admiral Lanba, the pattern of deployment of Chinese warships in the IOR was being mapped. He also said that at any given time, China has six to seven warships in the region.

The Indian Navy also took to twitter to troll China because of its presence in the IOR. In one of the two tweets the navy conveyed a strong message that its 50 combat-ready Indian warships were carrying out constant vigil on the area.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2018 04:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).