New Delhi, August 31: India today said China has been showing “more than the normal interest” in the Indian Ocean affairs and its “intentions” are being closely monitored.
“The Government of India has come to realise that China has been showing more than the normal interest in the Indian Ocean affairs. So we are closely monitoring the Chinese intentions”, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in the Lok Sabha.
“We are closely monitoring the developments in the Indian Ocean,” he said and assured the House that “appropriate action and measures” would be taken to safeguard India’s territorial integrity and the welfare of its fishermen.
Though he did not elaborate on the growing Chinese interests but was clearly referring to increasing engagement of China in projects in Sri Lanka and other countries in the Indian Ocean.
–Agencies