Lok Sabha Question No. 2630 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-04
Subject: Chinese Threat at the Coastal Region
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Dr. T. Sumathy (a) Thamizhachi Thangapandian

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2630

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  August, 2021

## CHINESE THREAT AT THE COASTAL REGION

2630. DR. T. SUMATHY (a) THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken stock of the prevailing conditions in the Coastal regions  of  South  India  on  both  eastern  and  western  sides  with  respect  to  the  Chinese threat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the diplomatic steps taken by the country keeping in mind the Chinese presence in Srilanka and its territorial waters
- (c) whether the Government is done thorough analysis on the security threats emanating from the waters of the eastern and western sides; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to protect strategically important places in South India like Chennai, Space Centre at Sriharikota, Atomic power plants at Kalpakkam and Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant at Kudankulam?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI AJAY BHATT)

(a)  &  (b):    Yes,  Sir.  India's  relations  with  its  neighbours  stand  on  their  own  and  are independent of the relations of those countries with third countries.  The Government has well   articulated   policy   of    'Neighborhood first'    with  a  focus  on creating mutually

beneficial, people oriented regional frameworks for stability and prosperity.  Government carefully monitors any developments having a bearing on India's security and economic interests, and takes all necessary measures to safeguard them.

(c)  &  (d):    Yes,  Sir.    The  Government  has  taken  a  number  of  measures  to  strengthen coastal, Offshore and maritime security.  The Indian Navy, Coast Guard and State Marine Police  along  with  other  agencies  such  as  Customs  and  Port  Trusts  patrol  the  Maritime Zone  of  India  using  surface  and  air  assets  to  detect  and  check  infiltration.    Further, electronic surveillance of maritime zone is undertaken using radars, Automatic Identification  System,  open  sources  etc.    Government  has  also  set  up  Joint  Operation Center, Information Management Centre and National Command, Control, Communications  and  Intelligent  Network.    Sagar  Prahari  Bal  with  Fast  Intercepting Crafts and Immediate Support Vessels have been established for the security of Offshore Development Area.  The Standard Operating Procedures for coordination among various agencies on coastal security issues have been formulated.  Besides this, Exercises with various security agencies are conducted regularly to assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms. Towards engaging coastal and fishing communities, Community Interaction  and  Awareness  Programmes  are  being  regularly  conducted  by  Indian  Navy and Coast Guard.  Security of Atomic Power Plants at Kalpakkam and Kudankulam is entrusted to the Central Industrial Security Force (CSIF).  In addition units of Army, Air Defence (AAD)  and  Air Force are placed for Air defence at  Kalpakkam  and Kudankulam.

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