Indian Navy extends warning to China's navy through witty tweets
What's the story
In a world where verbal battles are increasingly being fought on social media, the Indian Navy seems to have won a victory of sorts over the naval forces of arch-rivals China. In a series of cheeky tweets, the Indian Navy welcomed three Chinese warships to the Indian Ocean Region, subtly telling them, "We have our eyes on you." Here's more.
Twitter Post
The Indian Navy's 'warm welcome' to Chinese naval vessels
#MaritimeDomainAwareness @indiannavy extends a warm welcome to the 29th Anti-Piracy Escort Force (APEF) of PLA(N) in Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Happy Hunting @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @IAF_MCC @adgpi @IndiaCoastGuard @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/7NTW4TwQuW
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 17, 2018
A 'warm welcome'
How the Indian Navy cheekily 'welcomed' Chinese warships
The three Chinese warships which entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) were a part of its 29th Anti-Piracy Escort Force in the IOR, said Beijing. The Indian Navy first extended a cheeky welcome to the warships from the People's Liberation Army (Navy), and then followed it up with a tweet saying 50 Indian warships are on 24x7 vigil in the region.
Twitter Post
Map showing Indian Navy's 24x7 patrol routes
#MissionBasedDeployments From Persian Gulf to Malacca Straits from Northern Bay of Bengal to Southern Indian Ocean to East coast of Africa @indiannavy with 50 ships on vigil 24X7 keep our Area of Responsibility (AOR) safe. @indiannavy Anytime, Anywhere Everytime @nsitharaman pic.twitter.com/rxmBAed5Sa
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 17, 2018
China's deployments
China's naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region
China often sneakily deploys its naval vessels in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on the pretext of combating piracy. Meanwhile, under the alibi, it has been stealthily setting up naval bases in the region. The Indian Navy's tweets express India's dominance in the region, and conveys a warning to China at a time when Beijing's influence is being increasingly felt in the IOR.
Indian Navy patrols
Indian Navy does round-the-clock surveillance of the IOR
The Indian Navy has been keeping a close watch on the increasing Chinese naval presence in the IOR. The same has been confirmed by Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba. Under the Indian Navy's 'Mission Based Deployment', 50 combat ready warships are currently deployed for patrolling the region - including around the Strait of Malacca - thereby allowing for round-the-clock surveillance.