India's defence minister highlights naval power rivalry in Indian Ocean region

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the ongoing power rivalry in the Indian Ocean region, emphasizing the need for a strong naval presence. He noted that 95% of India's trade is linked to this area. Singh's comments come amid concerns over China's growing naval capabilities, which include the world's largest fleet. Although Chinese and Indian troops have de-escalated tensions, some standoffs remain. India aims to strengthen its navy, planning to expand its fleet to 175 ships by 2035. However, the pace of India's naval construction lags behind China's, which builds nearly 14 warships annually compared to India's four.