China naval build-up 'major concern' for India

India’s navy chief said on Monday that Beijing’s growing maritime strength was a “major, major cause for concern” and pledged to support a state energy firm in its contentious search for oil in the South China Sea.

Admiral D.K. Joshi told journalists that China’s push to upgrade its navy was “truly impressive” and said that India had to adapt its own strategy accordingly.

“It is actually a major, major cause of concern for us, which we continuously evaluate and work out our options and our strategies for,” Joshi said.

“The modernisation is truly impressive,” Joshi added.

China, which put its first aircraft carrier into service in September, has been locked in a series of disputes over strategic islands in the region, including with Vietnam and the Philippines over territory in the South China Sea.

India signed a pact with Vietnam in October last year to expand oil exploration in the South China Sea.