(a) whether the Government has taken note of increasing Chinese ships and submarine forays into the Indian Ocean Region;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether recently a Chinese submarine docked at Karachi, Pakistan after crossing Indian waters and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has taken up the matter with the Governments of China and Pakistan in this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the precautionary measures taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI MANOHAR PARRIKAR)
(a) to (c): Government has taken note of reports indicating increased Chinese ships and submarine forays into the Indian Ocean Region. China has also been deploying Naval Ships as part of their Anti-Piracy Escort Force in the Gulf of Aden since January 2009. It is understood that 20 such deployments have been undertaken till date.
A Chinese Submarine deployed in the Gulf of Aden since April 2015 undertook replenishment at Karachi in May and July 2015, by transit through International Waters.
(d) & (e): Government keeps a constant watch on all developments concerning our national security and commercial interest and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them in accordance with the prevailing security and strategic considerations.
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