Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday expressed concerns about “extra-regional nations” maintaining a permanent presence in the Indian Ocean on “some pretext or the other.” Speaking at the inaugural function of the Goa Maritime Conclave, she said these countries were establishing military presence in the region, which was creating complications for other nations in the Indian Ocean region, PTI reported.

“The Indian Ocean has been peaceful over past few decades,” Sitharaman said. “We have also witnessed extra-regional nations maintain a near permanent presence within the region on one pretext or the other.”

The defence minister did not name any country in particular. But for some time now, analysts have spoken of China’s “string of pearls” – a series of ports and bases it has set up in the Indian Ocean, which could threaten India’s position in the region. As recently as September, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe felt the need to assuage India for leasing a port to China, insisting that it will not be used as a military base.

“In order to sustain such a presence through operational turnaround, these countries, which are extra-regional, are creating naval outposts as well as dual use infrastructure in the region,” Sitharaman said. “This sort of militarisation increases the complexities for the countries of this region.”

She also said India was concerned about a “recent surge” in the number of non-state actors, which receive support from certain states, adding that this issue now demands firm action.