**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question (Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1099) regarding China's presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, addressed concerns about China's growing maritime influence, infrastructural projects, and deployment of research vessels in the IOR.
The government acknowledges China's objective of becoming a maritime power and its development of ports and infrastructure in IOR littoral countries. It also recognizes China's naval and maritime presence through activities like anti-piracy escorts, port calls, and research vessel deployments.
The government states it is closely monitoring these developments for potential impacts on India's security and economic interests and is taking appropriate measures to safeguard these interests. India's approach to countries in the IOR is based on independent, longstanding relations, prioritizing its "Neighborhood First Policy" and the "MAHASAGAR" vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). The government emphasizes strong political relations, increasing trade and investment, development projects, infrastructural cooperation, and broad-based engagement with countries in the region, specifically mentioning Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius.
Key Entities Referenced
China: Country mentioned in the context of its growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region and its strategic implications for India.
Indian Ocean Region: The geographical area of focus, concerning China's activities and their impact on India's security and economic interests.
Ministry of External Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for foreign affairs, answering the parliamentary question.
Kirti Vardhan Singh: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
Sougata Ray: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question regarding China's presence in the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka: A littoral country in the Indian Ocean Region with which India has strong relations.
Maldives: A littoral country in the Indian Ocean Region with which India has strong relations.
Mauritius: A littoral country in the Indian Ocean Region with which India has strong relations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1099
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
CHINA’S PRESENCE IN INDIAN OCEAN Sougata Ray
1099. PROF. SOUGATA RAY
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether China’s growing presence in Indian Ocean Region is a
strategic challenge for India, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether China is undertaking several infrastructural projects
focusing on ports, airports and the logistic sector for dual use purposes
which will be a threat to our security, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether China has been deploying research and survey vessels in the
region to augment maritime domain awareness and collect sensitive
oceanography and marine data from the Indian Ocean Region, if so, the
details thereof?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The Government is aware of China’s stated objective of
becoming a ‘maritime power’. As part of this strategy, China is
developing ports and other infrastructure facilities in the littoral
countries in the Indian Ocean Region. China also has naval and maritime
presence in the Indian Ocean Region including through anti-piracy escort
missions, port calls and deployment of research and survey vessels.
Government closely monitors all developments in the Indian Ocean
Region impinging on India’s security and economic interests and takes
appropriate measures to safeguard India’s interests.
Our relations with countries in the Indian Ocean Region are
comprehensive and long-standing, based on their own merit and are
independent of their relations with any third countries. Countries such as
Sri Lanka, Maldives and Mauritius like occupy a central place in India’s
‘Neighborhood First’ Policy and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic
Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. Our
2political relations with countries of the region are strong, trade and
investment ties are being augmented, development
projects and infrastructural cooperation is progressing, and there is
broad-based engagement across all sectors.
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