China Tells India: No Intention To Surround India In ‘String Of Pearls’ Bases

Shanghai: Amid India’s concerns on deployment of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean, a top PLA naval officer sought to justify the move saying the vessels were part of anti-piracy operations while downplaying the �?string of pearls’ theory to contain India.

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“Why cannot submarines participate in anti-piracy operations? Submarines also participate in anti-piracy operations along with other fleets,” Wei Xiandong, chief of staff, Shanghai Naval Garrison, said when asked why People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy sends submarines for anti-piracy operations when aircraft or surface warships are needed for such kind of operations.

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Wei Xiandong

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Interacting with a delegation of Indian journalists at the garrison in Shanghai…