China President Xi's India visit: India to keep a tab on China’s defence moves

NEW DELHI: Wary of China's designs and growing presence in its neighbourhood, particularly in Sri Lanka and Maldives, India is keeping a close watch on whether any of the infrastructure projects announced during President Xi Jinping's trips there would be used, or converted by Beijing, for military purposes.

These initiatives, in India's backyard, will contribute in reviving the ancient maritime silk route planned by Xi from China's Fujian province. Maldives has already committed to joining the maritime silk route initiative -- expected to further Beijing's economic and strategic interests --- during Xi's trip to Male on Monday-Tuesday. China has committed to build roads, bridges and expand airport in Maldives.

While these projects are civilian in nature so far, Delhi is keeping close tabs on whether they could be converted or used for military purposes in future, official sources told ET. Interestingly, Pakistan is one of the key recipients of arms and missiles from PLA.