India edgy about Chinese ambitions

BANGALORE, India, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Tensions between rising powers China and India are increasing, with Indian newspapers running articles about the "China threat."

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently convened a meeting of the Cabinet committee on security to review India's ties with China, while Defense Minister A.K. Antony has reviewed the country's security situation following reports suggesting the presence of Chinese soldiers in Kashmir, the Deccan Herald reported Friday. China denied it had soldiers in the disputed area.

Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told journalists that Chinese intentions in the Indian Ocean are being monitored closely as China has been showing "more than normal interest" in the region.

A project of considerable interest to Indian defense planners is Chinese investment in developing Pakistan Gwadar Port, a deep-sea, warm-water port in Balochistan province at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. Gwadar's construction began in 2002 and the facility became operational in 2008.

Indian and foreign military analysts believe that the port is part of a planned "string of pearls" naval facilities that China is constructing to safeguard its Middle East oil imports.