New Delhi, Dec 10: Pakistani and Chinese navies are
likely to hold joint maritime exercises in the Arabian Sea,
but they are not viewed as potential threat to India's
interest, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
"Inputs available suggest that Pakistani and Chinese
navies are likely to hold joint maritime exercises in the
Arabian Sea," Fernandes said during the question hour.
To a question whether Indian security experts viewed
these exercises as potential threat to the country's interest,
he replied in the negative.
Fernandes said all steps were being taken to see that no
harm was caused to India by these exercises.
Stating that modernisation and strengthening of the
Indian Navy was a continuous process, he said the Defence
Ministry was making efforts to provide the navy equipment,
ships and material commensurate with the threat perceptions
and tasks entrusted to it.
Several steps including important acquisition have been
taken to modernise the Indian Navy, he said adding
systematic and planned growth of the navy was being carried
out under a 15-year ship building plan.
Bureau Report
