• Seychelles a tiny island group is now one of the most talked
    news in INDIA. Why so ?Read On:2007-1-30 Beijing: President Hu Jintao has
    announced his plan on an eight nation tour to Africa.He would be visiting West
    Africa's Cameroon then Liberia, then to Sudan in the east ,Zambia, Namibia,
    South Africa,Mozambique and Seychelles.Seychelles a tiny island nation in the
    Western part of Indian Ocean consisting of 115 islands and a population of as
    low as 85,000 people.So why is this Island in the high profile list of Beijing
    ?Its Certain that Mr. Hu Jintao is not visiting there for a massage or a good
    vacation.His visit clearly reveals the growing Chinese Naval Interest in the
    INDIAN Ocean.This doesn't come as a big surprise to New Delhi as this wasn't the
    first time the Chinese were showing such an interest. A couple of years ago
    India successfully halted a possible Navy assistance form China to Seychelles by
    offering “INS Tarmugli” at a timely manner and thus avoided what could have
    caused a serious power imbalance in the Indian Ocean in the future.Current
    Situation:
    China is actively indulging with Islands like Sri Lanka, Maldives,
    Mauritius and Madagascar in order to establish its maritime presence in the
    Indian Ocean.
    If China becomes successful in establishing maritime supremacy
    in Indian Ocean, it will be able to prevent India's freedom of movement in its
    own water.
    Such a maritime sphere of influence will give Beijing options for
    exercising its power as it sees fit, and thus causing serious power imbalances
    in the region.My Views:Time For India to Act Fast to Secure its ocean from the
    Chinese.The Only Ocean in the World that is named after a country and its people
    is the INDIAN Ocean and it rightfully belongs to the INDIANS.Terms Used:INS
    Tarmugli:An Indian Naval War Ship