Article Posted on : - Dec 19, 2014

NEW DELHI (PTI): India is taking counter steps to deal with the growing influence of China in neighbouring countries, particularly in their seas, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said in Lok Sabha, noting that modernisation of Navy was going on "quite well".

"We are responding. India is taking counter measures along maritime areas," he said during Question Hour.

The reply came after Adhir Ranjan Choudhary of Congress asked what steps India was taking to check the growing influence of China in maritime areas of Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Maldives.

Parrikar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also visited a few neighbouring countries to improve bilateral ties.

He said the programme to modernise the Navy was going on "quite well" as six conventional submarines are being constructed while plans are afoot to make six more.

Parrikar, however, refused to divulge the status of the nuclear submarines saying it is a sensitive matter and cannot be disclosed.

He said there was no delay in ship building projects.

Whatever small delay has taken place was due to technical difficulties.

"We are taking steps so that we can guarantee that there is minimum delay," he said.

The Defence Minister said plans are afoot to increase the ship building capacity of the country's shipyards and government would not allow any crisis to come to any shipyard due to financial constraints.

Parrikar said Indian shipyards, both in public and private sectors, have adequate capabilities to build various categories of naval vessels, including warships and submarines.

Mazagon Dock Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Cochin Shipyard Limited are engaged in building large vessels, submarines and aircraft carrier.

"Other defence shipyards and private shipyards also have capability in building various categories of vessels including patrol vessels, tugs, barges, tankers, survey vessels, etc.," he said.

Parrikar said the modernisation programme of the Indian Navy is focussed on indigenous warship construction and is largely driven by Indian shipyards and industry. The steps are being taken by the government to make the country self sufficient in the field of indigenous construction of naval vessels.