New Delhi: Pakistani and Chinese Navies are likely to hold joint maritime exercises in the Arabian Sea, but they are not viewed as potential threat to India's interest, the Rajya Sabha was informed today (Dec 10, 2003).

"Inputs available suggest that Pakistani and Chinese Navies are likely to hold joint maritime exercises in the Arabian Sea," Fernandes said during the Question Hour.

To a question whether Indian security experts viewed these exercises as potential threat to the country's interest, he replied in the negative.

Fernandes said all steps were being taken to see that no harm was caused to India by these exercises.

Stating that modernisation and strengthening of the Indian Navy was a continuous process, he said the Defence Ministry was making efforts to provide the Navy, equipment, ships and material commensurate with the threat perceptions and tasks entrusted to it.

Several steps including important acquisition have been taken to modernise the Indian Navy, he said adding, systematic and planned growth of the Navy was being carried out under a 15-year shipbuilding plan.

PTI