China's naval base in Cambodia is ‘not a cause of alarm’ for India: Former Navy chief
Chinese assistance, is just another step in Beijing’s unfolding grand strategy for achieving the “China Dream", or attainment of Super Power status by 2047 or earlier. The CPC had realised at an early stage that an essential prerequisite for achieving the China Dream was for China to become a maritime power," Admiral Arun Prakash said.
“In pursuit of the latter aim, China has focused on every aspect of maritime power. Today, it has the world’s largest naval force, the largest merchant navy & the largest coast guard, all supported by an extensive & very productive shipbuilding industrial complex," he added.
The former Navy chief said that India does not have the need or the means to enter in a naval competetion with China and our current geographical location provides us enough dominance over the entire Indian Ocean region. “India has neither the need, nor the means to enter a naval race or competition with China.
India’s fortuitous geographic location dominates the Indian Ocean and its compact but robust & professional navy is quite capable of protecting its maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific. For far too long we have focused on micro-security issues like border disputes & cross-border terrorism," Admiral Arun Prakash opined.
“The real struggle for balance of power in the Indo-Pac region will take place in the maritime domain. We must bring sharp focus on our navy & provide adequate support/resources to various components of India’s maritime power," he concluded.
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