Indo-China border tensions adding to challenges in Indian Ocean Region: Navy chief

"On average, China has seven ships in the Indian Ocean Region at any given point of time and their submarines also keep coming," Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said.

Referring to tensions with China over the last 18 months, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said the security situation along the northern borders has added to the existing challenges. "Indian ships were forward deployed when there was tension along the northern borders. We kept Chinese ships under close surveillance and we continue to do that even now," he said on Friday.

He added that the Indian Navy's deployment serves as a deterrent to inimical interests.