Overview
- Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena said Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean is expected, but he flagged a lack of transparency and stressed that Indian maritime interests are being protected.
- He noted Chinese search and survey vessels and other surveillance platforms engaged in undersea domain activities, with occasional submarine deployments in the region.
- Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi said the Navy is aware of all activities across the IOR, highlighted freedom of navigation beyond 200 nautical miles, and stated there is no need for concern.
- Responding to reports that a Chinese vessel delayed an Indian missile test, Admiral Tripathi said he was not aware of specifics and suggested the claim may be speculative, while acknowledging such ships sometimes prompt recalibration of activities globally.
- The Navy detailed a rapid indigenisation drive, inducting an indigenous warship roughly every 40 days with 51 ships under construction and approvals for 65 ships and nine submarines, as reports offered differing timelines for full self-reliance.