Government taking steps to deal with China's influence in seas: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar

NEW DELHI: 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 (Cong) 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.