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| A Chinese Type-035 Ming class Submarine (File Photo) |
By: Vivek Raghuvanshi
NEW DELHI — Ever since Bangladesh took delivery of Chinese submarines on Nov. 14, analysts in India have expressed increasing concern over a deepening of China's footprint in India's friendly neighbor.
The arrival of the submarines comes as Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar prepares to visit Dhaka on Nov. 30 to upgrade defense ties between the neighboring countries.
Bangladesh took delivery of the first of the two submarines purchased from China at a cost of $203 million. The Type 035G diesel-electric submarines, armed with torpedoes and mines, are capable of attacking enemy ships and submarines.
Analysts say the sale of the subs is part of a strategy meant to encircle India.
"Given Bangladesh's economic situation and the fact that it is surrounded on three sides by India, the acquisition of submarines is not only illogical but actually an act of provocation as far as India is concerned. Submarines are offensive weapons of sea denial and their only use would be to pose a threat in being for India and to complicate the latter's maritime security paradigm," said Arun Prakash, a retired Indian Navy admiral and former service chief.
"Obviously this transfer is a step further in China's strategy of encircling India with its client states," Prakash added.
However, Bharat Karnad, a research professor at the India-based think tank Centre for Policy Research, disagreed.
Read the full story at DefenseNews