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The situation in the Indian Ocean is becoming increasingly tense due to China’s growing naval presence, which is causing serious concerns in India, China’s main regional rival. On January 15, India carried out a large-scale strengthening of its naval forces, launching a submarine, a destroyer and a frigate at the state-owned Mazagon shipyard in Mumbai, the Associated Press reported.
The move is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen its navy in response to China’s growing naval power in the region. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed that “95% of India’s trade is carried out through the Indian Ocean, which makes India attach great importance to strengthening its navy to protect national interests”.
Speaking during the ceremony, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the launch of the three warships is a significant step towards realising India’s vision of becoming a world leader in defence manufacturing and maritime security. He also expressed hope that this would be an additional incentive for the further development of the Indian defence industry.
Rahul Bedi, a defence analyst, noted that China’s growing naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean pose a major challenge to India, requiring New Delhi to take more proactive steps to ensure regional security and stability. These measures show that India is taking its role as a maritime power seriously, ready to defend its trade and strategic interests in the face of growing tensions in the region.
