New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Indian Defence Minister Pallam Raju offered China the protection of the Indian navy to help it secure shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean that are crucial for its African and Mideast energy supplies. Experts believe that behind the offer there is India’s desire to contain the growing presence of the Chinese Navy in the area.

The minister, who said New Delhi “understands that [China] needed to protect its oil interests”, was also trying to reduce increasing tensions between the two nations over the growing number of Chinese naval ships in the Indian Ocean.

India views Chinese port-building activities in Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota in Sri Lanka and the construction of a special economic zone in Mauritius with suspicion.

Although built for commercial purposes, these facilities can be easily used to anchor warships.

Beijing’s is also a long-standing supplier of weapons and technology to Pakistan, India’s traditional rival.

As a result of its participation in anti-piracy naval operations off the coast of Somalia last year, China has been trying to improve support and supply arrangements in strategic locations for Chinese ships, notably in the South China Sea and in the Indian Ocean.

Military relations between the two nations have been tense. Both have reinforced their military presence along the border of the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh, a bone of contention between them.

New Delhi announced this week that it was deploying two more mountain divisions—about 30,000 troops—to its northeastern State.

Few believe that China will want to take up India’s offer given the strategic nature of its energy supplies.

Similarly, analysts agree that China, which lags far behind the United States, plans to build up its naval capabilities.