SINGAPORE: Singapore’s first deputy Prime Minister Goh Tong has alleged that India has ambitions to be a regional power if the United States reduces its presence in the area.
Goh, who is also the defense mister, designated to replace Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew when he retires later this year, said if there was a vacuum, new regional power such as China, India, and Japan and probably Indonesia would emerge.
China had the capability because of its strong Navy but Beijing will face competition from India, “which had aims of being the dominant power,” he told a ruling people action party convention Sunday.
Goh said he always thought India was interested only in the Indian Ocean and some neighboring countries but his view was influenced by a report in an Australian newspaper and talks with a foreign minister of an Indian Ocean country. He did not name the minister or the country,
The minister said, “The Australian Age,” newspaper quoted a former deputy chief of the Indian army saying that India wants to be the dominant power between the Suez and Singapore.
Asked why India wants to be dominant power up to Singapore, the foreign minister explained that India regarded all Indians here nationals, even overseas Indians, Goh said.
“She is trying to build up her power to be able to project herself up to Fiji because in Fiji about 50 percent are Indians, if she can project herself up to Fiji then I think she can also become a dominant regional power,”’ he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 2, 1990
