India's defense minister cites power rivalry in Indian Ocean region 

FILE - India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh arrives for an ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting - Plus in Jakarta, Nov. 16, 2023. India has sought to counter China as Beijing grows its influence in India's neighborhood through investments and development projects.

International power rivalry is playing out in the Indian Ocean region, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday, adding that a strong naval presence in the key trade route was his country's biggest priority.