The Indian Navy is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Port Trust for expanding its naval base in the city to boost its capabilities on the east coast as well as the Indian Ocean region.

The Navy has a base in Visakhapatnam on the eastern coast and the plans for expanding in Chennai have been on the cards for some time now.

“We aim to make an important naval base at Chennai by creating the required naval support infrastructure. We are confident of complete support from the State government for allotting the required land,” said Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar, Flag Officer Commanding, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area.

“This in turn will also contribute to the economy of Chennai and Tamil Nadu in the long run,” he told reporters here at a function held to commemorate Navy Day on December 4.

Countering threats

Rear Admiral Bhatnagar said they have asked for land on the northern side of the Chennai port under the port’s Outer Harbour Project that would handle various kinds of commodities.

He said it was important for the navy to have an operational base in the south to quickly respond to threats in the Indian Ocean.

Logical move

“Extra-regional powers are operating in the Indian Ocean region. Our two naval bases are in Mumbai and Vizag. We are well north of the area of the Indian Ocean where we find these extra-regional powers. So it is only logical to have the navy’s centre shifted towards the south so that we can have our forces ready for quick reaction in the Indian Ocean region,” he said.

Rear Admiral Bhatnagar also said that the Indian Navy was aware of increased Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean region.

“The good part is that we are aware of it. We know their movements in the region; we are observing cautiously,” he said.