Raising concerns over the increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said Wednesday that "at any given time, there are six to eight Chinese Navy ships in the northern part of the Indian Ocean" and "no navy has grown so rapidly in the last 200 years as the Chinese Navy."&nbsp;

Lanba added that "they are a force and they are a force which is here to stay."

The Chinese have added 80 ships to their navy in the last 5 years.&nbsp;

Lanba was speaking at the fourth Raisina Dialogue in Delhi.&nbsp;

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Elaborating, the navy chief said, "since 2008 there has been a permanent presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean region in the form of anti-piracy escort force. The 31st anti-piracy escort force is present in the Gulf of Aden."

China commissioned its first overseas facility in Djibouti two years ago. The stated aim of Bejing's deployment is to protect Chinese trade from piracy in the region.&nbsp;

Lanba however said that China has "deployed submarines for anti-piracy operations" which is the "most unlikely platform to be used for this role".&nbsp;

He also expressed concern over China's spending on its military.&nbsp;

"There is no doubt they are spending a huge sum of money to develop military capabilities. They are modernising the forces, they are modernising command structure," Lanba said.&nbsp;

A Chinese submarine deployed in the Gulf of Aden since April 2015 docked at Karachi in May and July 2015 after transiting through international waters.&nbsp;

India on its part undertakes coordinated patrols and maritime exercises with foreign navies including those of island countries in the Indian Ocean. India has also been increasing its diplomatic engagement with Indian Ocean region countries, and under the Indo-Pacific concept calling for a rules-based approach in the region.&nbsp;

Raising concerns over the increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said Wednesday that "at any given time, there are six to eight Chinese Navy ships in the northern part of the Indian Ocean" and "no navy has grown so rapidly in the last 200 years as the Chinese Navy.

Raising concerns over the increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba said Wednesday that "at any given time, there are six to eight Chinese Navy ships in the northern part of the Indian Ocean" and "no navy has grown so rapidly in the last 200 years as the Chinese Navy." Lanba added that "they are a force and they are a force which is here to stay." The Chinese have added 80 ships to their navy in the last 5 years. Lanba was speaking at the fourth Raisina Dialogue in Delhi. Also read: There should be talks with the Taliban, says army chief Bipin Rawat Elaborating, the navy chief said, "since 2008 there has been a permanent presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean region in the form of anti-piracy escort force. The 31st anti-piracy escort force is present in the Gulf of Aden." China commissioned its first overseas facility in Djibouti two years ago. The stated aim of Bejing's deployment is to protect Chinese trade from piracy in the region. Lanba however said that China has "deployed submarines for anti-piracy operations" which is the "most unlikely platform to be used for this role". He also expressed concern over China's spending on its military. "There is no doubt they are spending a huge sum of money to develop military capabilities. They are modernising the forces, they are modernising command structure," Lanba said. A Chinese submarine deployed in the Gulf of Aden since April 2015 docked at Karachi in May and July 2015 after transiting through international waters. India on its part undertakes coordinated patrols and maritime exercises with foreign navies including those of island countries in the Indian Ocean. India has also been increasing its diplomatic engagement with Indian Ocean region countries, and under the Indo-Pacific concept calling for a rules-based approach in the region.

No navy has grown as rapidly in the last 200 years as China's: Indian naval chief Sunil Lanba

The US Navy&#39;s top officer asked his Chinese counterpart to exert influence on North Korea to help rein in its advancing nuclear and missile programs, a US official said on Thursday.

Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson spoke with his Chinese counterpart Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong via a video teleconference.

&quot;Richardson voiced his concern about the nuclear and missile programs and emphasized that China should use its unique influence over North Korea,&quot; said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The call lasted for an hour and the two talked about the need to &quot;work together to address the provocative and unacceptable military behaviour by North Korea,&quot; the US Navy said in a statement.

Last month US President Donald Trump said Chinese efforts to persuade North Korea had failed.

Trump has hoped for greater help from China to exert influence over North Korea, leaning heavily on Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders had a high-profile summit in Florida in April and Trump has frequently praised Xi while resisting criticism of Chinese trade practices.

North Korea recently said it conducted its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, and that it had mastered the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on the missile.

The United States has remained technically at war with North Korea since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. The past six decades have been punctuated by periodic rises in antagonism as well as rhetoric that has stopped short of a resumption of active hostilities.

Tensions rose sharply after North Korea conducted two nuclear weapons tests last year and carried out a steady stream of ballistic missile tests.

The two talked about working together 'to address the provocative and unacceptable military behaviour by North Korea'

The US Navy's top officer asked his Chinese counterpart to exert influence on North Korea to help rein in its advancing nuclear and missile programs, a US official said on Thursday. Chief of US Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson spoke with his Chinese counterpart Vice Admiral Shen Jinlong via a video teleconference. "Richardson voiced his concern about the nuclear and missile programs and emphasized that China should use its unique influence over North Korea," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. The call lasted for an hour and the two talked about the need to "work together to address the provocative and unacceptable military behaviour by North Korea," the US Navy said in a statement. Last month US President Donald Trump said Chinese efforts to persuade North Korea had failed. Trump has hoped for greater help from China to exert influence over North Korea, leaning heavily on Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders had a high-profile summit in Florida in April and Trump has frequently praised Xi while resisting criticism of Chinese trade practices. North Korea recently said it conducted its first test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, and that it had mastered the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on the missile. The United States has remained technically at war with North Korea since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. The past six decades have been punctuated by periodic rises in antagonism as well as rhetoric that has stopped short of a resumption of active hostilities. Tensions rose sharply after North Korea conducted two nuclear weapons tests last year and carried out a steady stream of ballistic missile tests.

US Navy chief seeks China's help in tackling North Korea threat

A Chinese navy ship supported by an Indian navy helicopter thwarted an attack by suspected Somali pirates on a Tuvalu-flagged merchant ship, India&#39;s defence ministry said on Sunday.

The ship, known as OS 35, was reported to be under attack on Saturday.

The Indian defence ministry said four of its navy ships in the vicinity responded to a distress signal from the ship and reached the bulk carrier early on Sunday.

It said the crew had taken refuge in the ship&#39;s strong room, know as the citadel, once they learnt they were under attack in line with established safe shipping operating procedures.

&quot;An Indian Navy helicopter undertook aerial reconnaissance of the merchant vessel at night, and at sunrise ... (to) ascertain the location of pirates, if still on board,&quot; the defence ministry said in a statement.

&quot;Subsequently ... a boarding party from the nearby Chinese Navy ship went on board the merchant ship, while the Indian Naval helicopter provided air cover for the operation.&quot;

China&#39;s defence ministry said in a statement a Chinese navy frigate on patrol in the area responded to the distress call from the ship, which it said had been hijacked by pirates. A helicopter conducted surveillance of the ship before 16 navy special forces soldiers were sent aboard to rescue the sailors.

It did not mention the Indian involvement.

The Indian defence ministry said all the 19 Filipino crew of the ship were safe and the captain of the ship thanked the Indian navy for their response and for providing air cover.

John Steed of aid group Oceans Beyond Piracy told Reuters the ship was sailing under navy escort to its next port.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which coordinates shipping in the Gulf of Aden area, said on its website the pirates had used a skiff to approach the vessel.

The attempted hijacking comes days after pirates seized an Indian dhow that was on route to Bossaso from Dubai.

Experts said some ship owners were becoming lax after a long period of calm, and that some were using a route known as the Socotra Gap, between Somalia and Socotra Island, to save time and cost regardless of the piracy risks.

At their peak in 2011, pirates launched 237 attacks off the coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau, and took hundreds of hostages.

Their actions cost the world economy $7 billion and earned the pirates some $160 million in ransoms, according to the bureau.

China&#39;s defence ministry said Chinese navy ships had helped patrol the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since 2008, responding to several pirate attacks and conducting a small number of rescues.

(Reuters)

The Indian defence ministry said all the 19 Filipino crew of the ship were safe and the captain thanked the Indian navy for their response

A Chinese navy ship supported by an Indian navy helicopter thwarted an attack by suspected Somali pirates on a Tuvalu-flagged merchant ship, India's defence ministry said on Sunday. The ship, known as OS 35, was reported to be under attack on Saturday. The Indian defence ministry said four of its navy ships in the vicinity responded to a distress signal from the ship and reached the bulk carrier early on Sunday. It said the crew had taken refuge in the ship's strong room, know as the citadel, once they learnt they were under attack in line with established safe shipping operating procedures. "An Indian Navy helicopter undertook aerial reconnaissance of the merchant vessel at night, and at sunrise ... (to) ascertain the location of pirates, if still on board," the defence ministry said in a statement. "Subsequently ... a boarding party from the nearby Chinese Navy ship went on board the merchant ship, while the Indian Naval helicopter provided air cover for the operation." China's defence ministry said in a statement a Chinese navy frigate on patrol in the area responded to the distress call from the ship, which it said had been hijacked by pirates. A helicopter conducted surveillance of the ship before 16 navy special forces soldiers were sent aboard to rescue the sailors. It did not mention the Indian involvement. The Indian defence ministry said all the 19 Filipino crew of the ship were safe and the captain of the ship thanked the Indian navy for their response and for providing air cover. John Steed of aid group Oceans Beyond Piracy told Reuters the ship was sailing under navy escort to its next port. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which coordinates shipping in the Gulf of Aden area, said on its website the pirates had used a skiff to approach the vessel. The attempted hijacking comes days after pirates seized an Indian dhow that was on route to Bossaso from Dubai. Experts said some ship owners were becoming lax after a long period of calm, and that some were using a route known as the Socotra Gap, between Somalia and Socotra Island, to save time and cost regardless of the piracy risks. At their peak in 2011, pirates launched 237 attacks off the coast of Somalia, according to the International Maritime Bureau, and took hundreds of hostages. Their actions cost the world economy $7 billion and earned the pirates some $160 million in ransoms, according to the bureau. China's defence ministry said Chinese navy ships had helped patrol the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since 2008, responding to several pirate attacks and conducting a small number of rescues. (Reuters)

India, China navies stop suspected Somali pirate attack on merchant vessel

Beijing has begun military drills in the South China Sea, state media reported today ahead of a ruling by an international arbitration court on a dispute with the Philippines over the strategic waters. 
 
The navy on Friday carried out &quot;combat exercises&quot; with &quot;live missiles&quot; between the Paracels and the southern Chinese island of Hainan, the PLA Daily, the military&#39;s official newspaper, said on its website. 
 
State television CCTV broadcast images of fighter aircraft and ships firing missiles, helicopters taking off and submarines surfacing. 
 
&quot;The drill focused on air control operations, sea battles and anti-submarine warfare&quot;, said the PLA Daily, whose article was reposted on the defence ministry website. 
 
The military manoeuvres come as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is set to make its final decision on Tuesday in the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. 
 
The PLA Daily however insisted they were &quot;routine exercises&quot; and unrelated to the court&#39;s ruling. 
 
China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the strategically vital waters in the face of rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbours, most notably the Philippines and Vietnam. 
 
To bolster its claims it has rapidly turned reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes. 
 
Manila lodged its suit against Beijing in 2013, challenging China&#39;s claims to much of the strategic waterway and saying it was in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which both countries are signatories. 
 
Beijing has boycotted the proceedings, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the issue and that it will ignore the ruling. 
 
The Philippines said on Friday it was willing to share natural resources with Beijing in the contested seas even if it wins next week&#39;s legal challenge. 
 
Foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay told AFP that President Rodrigo Duterte&#39;s administration hoped to quickly begin direct talks with China following Tuesday&#39;s verdict. 
 
He said the negotiations could cover jointly exploiting natural gas reserves and fishing grounds within the Philippines&#39; exclusive economic zone. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The navy carried out 'combat exercises' with 'live missiles' between the Paracels and the southern Chinese island of Hainan

Beijing has begun military drills in the South China Sea, state media reported today ahead of a ruling by an international arbitration court on a dispute with the Philippines over the strategic waters. The navy on Friday carried out "combat exercises" with "live missiles" between the Paracels and the southern Chinese island of Hainan, the PLA Daily, the military's official newspaper, said on its website. State television CCTV broadcast images of fighter aircraft and ships firing missiles, helicopters taking off and submarines surfacing. "The drill focused on air control operations, sea battles and anti-submarine warfare", said the PLA Daily, whose article was reposted on the defence ministry website. The military manoeuvres come as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague is set to make its final decision on Tuesday in the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China. The PLA Daily however insisted they were "routine exercises" and unrelated to the court's ruling. China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the strategically vital waters in the face of rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbours, most notably the Philippines and Vietnam. To bolster its claims it has rapidly turned reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes. Manila lodged its suit against Beijing in 2013, challenging China's claims to much of the strategic waterway and saying it was in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which both countries are signatories. Beijing has boycotted the proceedings, saying the court has no jurisdiction over the issue and that it will ignore the ruling. The Philippines said on Friday it was willing to share natural resources with Beijing in the contested seas even if it wins next week's legal challenge. Foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay told AFP that President Rodrigo Duterte's administration hoped to quickly begin direct talks with China following Tuesday's verdict. He said the negotiations could cover jointly exploiting natural gas reserves and fishing grounds within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. (AFP)

Beijing holds South China Sea war games before Hague ruling

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No navy has grown as rapidly in the last 200 years as China's: Indian naval chief Sunil Lanba

US Navy chief seeks China's help in tackling North Korea threat

India, China navies stop suspected Somali pirate attack on merchant vessel

Beijing holds South China Sea war games before Hague ruling