New Delhi: Talking tough on China’s presence in Indian water, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh said their presence and entry into India’s exclusive economic zones impinges on Indian interest.

Speaking in a panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, he said there have been instances when the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ships have entered India’s exclusive economic zones and the Indian Navy has told them that it impinges on Indian interests.

There has been increasing Chinese involvement in the Indian Ocean and the Indian Navy is watching carefully, Admiral Singh said on January 15.

“We have placed our ships in mission-based deployments so that we get an idea what are the activities, not only of China but of all other countries, so that if there is anything that impinges on our national interest or sovereignty, we will have to act,” he said.

“China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor impinge on our sovereignty,” the Navy Chief said.

Besides Admiral Singh, Japan’s Joint Staff of Self-Defense Forces General Koji Yamazaki, Australia’s Vice Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston, France’s Deputy Director General for International Relations and Strategy, Ministry of Armed Forces General Luc de Rancourt, and the UK’s Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Tony Radakin, took part in the panel discussion.