China is emerging as a naval entity and India cannot turn a blind eye to this, says West Bengal governor and former National Security Advisor M K Narayanan

C hina's geostrategic focus has for long been Asia and its traditional thrust towards East and Southeast Asia. Lately, the ambit of its influence has been widening. It is building advantageous power relationships not only in contiguous territories, but even far beyond, including parts of South and Central Asia. This is happening, alongside strengthening of friendship with countries of West Asia and Africa and increasing its presence in several countries in the Indian Ocean littoral and Africa.

Many of its actions go beyond what is required to ensure unhindered access and connectivity of hydrocarbon-rich Asia and Africa to the Chinese seaboard. China has been aggressive in the South China Sea, and Chinese actions vis-a-vis Vietnam and Japan border on near aggression. Several of China's actions, hence, smack of power projection and are leading to a clash of interest with other major countries in the region, including India.



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