From the publishers of WorldTribune.com and Geostrategy-Direct.com.
A R C H I V E S     S U B S C R I B E
India upgrades base in northeast to counter China moves

India's Air Force is upgrading an air base in northeast India in response to Chinese diplomatic and military moves in the region.

Additional advanced fighter jets have been moved to the base, located about 20 miles from Jalpaiguri, near India's border with China, Nepal and Bhutan.

The deployments come amid reports that China is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean through contacts with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Burma.

"Nearly 80 percent of world trade is carried out through the Indian Ocean and, as such, India has a greater authority in this region than China. Now they are trying to get control over the region so that they can have some say in world trade," Air Commodore K.K. Nohwar, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of Hasimara airbase, told India's Telegraph newspaper.

Nohwar said China's long-terms planning for the Indian Ocean have increased India's worries.

"We are well aware of China's efforts. The Hasimara airbase, in view of its strategic location, is expected to play a key role in future if war breaks out," he said. "This airbase is the gateway to the Northeast and is very close to China and Bangladesh."

The base's chief operations officer, Group Captain R.S. Randhawa, also told the newspaper: "A number of Chinese military camps is being set up in border areas that come under the air power of Hasimara airbase. Satellite pictures show China is deploying her military force in Gordong, Hopang, Donzong and Nagchuka, mainly in the Tibetan region."

The base is located in a region called the "chicken's neck" -- a corridor of Indian territory that links north and south Bengal.

"If our enemies strike this point, the entire Northeast will be cut off from the rest of the country. The Hasimara airbase has to be well-equipped so that in case of future conflict, it can be operated for both purposes, strike and air-defense," Nohwar said.

The types of aircraft at the base were not identified, but India has both Su-27 and Su-30 fighter-bombers.

East-Asia-Intel, www.eas-asia-intel.com, October 17, 2003
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