India’s defence Minister A K Antony Wednesday said India is concerned over China operating strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan.
New Delhi, Feb 6/Nationalturk – India is concerned over China operating strategic Gwadar port in Pakistan, said India’s defence Minister A K Antony.
“Chinese are now constructing Pakistan’s Gwadar port at the request of Pakistan government. In one sentence, I can say that it is a matter of concern for us (India). My answer is simple and straightforward,” Antony told reporters in Indian city of Bangalore during the launch of Aero-India 2013 today.
The Indian defence minister was responding to queries if handing over of strategic Gwadar port by Pakistan to China would affect India’s security.
Gwadar port is situated at a strategic location as it is located at the apex of the Arabian Sea and at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, approximately 460 km (290 mi) west of Karachi, 75 km (47 mi) east of Pakistan’s border with Iran and 380 km (240 mi) km northeast of the nearest point in Oman across the Arabian Sea. It is situated on the eastern bay of a natural hammerhead-shaped peninsula protruding into the Arabian Sea from the coastline.
Pakistan government last week approved a deal to transfer operational control of key Gwadar port from Singapore’s PSA International to Chinese Overseas Port Holdings Ltd.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira had told reporters that Pakistan hopes that under the new management, the strategically located deep-sea port would soon contribute to country’s flagging economy. “The Chinese will make more investment to make the project operational,” he had said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has already defended Beijing’s decision to take over the Gwadar port operations saying it is part of the continued cooperation between China and Pakistan, the two close allies.
Gwadar port is strategically very important
Gwadar port lies in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province and is strategically very important. China provided about 75% of initial $250 million in funding to Pakistan for construction of the port.
Gwadar Port is situated near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply route, and its busy trading and oil shipping lanes. The surrounding region is home to around two-thirds of the world’s oil reserves. It is also the nearest warm-water seaport to the landlocked, but energy rich, Central Asian Republics and landlocked Afghanistan.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
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