Arms competition sparked in Indo-Pacific – Chief of Indian Navy warns

New Delhi – The power struggle between the United States and China in the Indo-Pacific region is a marathon that will not end soon. But due to these two superpowers, the arms race in the Indo-Pacific region is on fire. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar expressed concern over it. While citing this arms race, the Navy Chief pointed out that China has built warships equal to the Indian Navy in a decade. Indian Defence Forces have focused on its restructuring and modernization, keeping in mind these future challenges, the Navy Chief informed.

While addressing a program organized by ‘Vivekananda International Foundation-VIF’, the Navy Chief made eye-catching statements about the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific region has become a hub of geopolitical activity. Countries outside the region are also planning their strategies for the Indo-Pacific. Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar claimed that the competition for power between the United States and China started in this area and will be a long-lasting marathon. The naval chief claimed that due to this competition between the superpowers, the situation has been created like before the Cold War.

During the Cold War, the United States, the Allies, and the Soviet Union were pitted against each other. The Navy Chief indicated that a similar arrangement has also started in the Indo-Pacific region. Due to this, Admiral R. Hari Kumar expressed concern over it. In this regard, he gave the example of China.

Moreover, China added 148 warships to its Navy in the last ten years. This number is equal to the total number of warships in the Indian Navy. China has not stopped at this point. The navy chief said that China is still adding more and more to its naval fleet. The Navy Chief realized that such an arms race has completely changed the situation in our region, which is rich in various resources. At the same time, the Navy Chief also highlighted the changed nature of conflicts in the present time.

Furthermore, European countries still buy fuel from Russia even after the conflict in Ukraine. This means that even if there is a conflict, today you cannot completely avoid your dependence on another country, the Navy chief pointed out. Keeping in view the challenges of the changing times, the Indian Defense Forces has focused on restructuring and modernizing itself for the future, the Navy Chief added.

Meanwhile, in the wake of these ongoing activities in the Indo-Pacific region, it has been reported that India will deploy fighter jets and Avacs aircraft over its Great Nicobar Islands. Strategic analysts had already warned that deploying Indian defence forces in this area will be strategically important.

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