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Eye on china, India sets up coastal radars in neighbourhood

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 11/30/2020 11:59:53 AM

New Delhi, Nov 29 Looking to counter China's influence and increasing presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India is setting up coastal surveillance radar systems in the neighbourhood as part of its policy to enhance military diplomacy that will also lead to increased security measures in these friendly countries. While the radars meant for maritime surveillance have already been installed in Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Seychelles, these will be very soon set up in Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh, sources in the security establishment said. "Similar projects are under proposal for Maldives and Myanmar while Bangladesh is at an advanced stage and at least 12 other countries are perceived for a similar requirement," said an official privy to the detail. The Coastal Surveillance Radar system is capable of detecting small boats, fishing vessels, ships and monitors any illegal activities in the sea. India has been looking to enhance assistance to friendly countries in the neighbourhood as China's influence is on the rise in the India Ocean Region. Recently, India handed over INS Sindhuvir to Myanmar, making it the first submarine in its naval fleet. India has also constructed the Sitwe port in Myanmar as part of the Kaladan transport project. The transit project will connect Kolkata to Sitwe port in Myanmar and finally end up linking Mizoram. This will be a new gateway to the landlocked North-East, reducing the distance from Kolkata to Mizoram by nearly a thousand kilometres and the travel time by at least four days. China has also been carrying out development projects at Kyaukpyu port near Sitwe. The assistance to these countries comes under India's programme called SAGAR, Security and Growth for All in the Region, and New Delhi is committed to build self-reliant capabilities in the neighbourhood.