China powerful in S Asia, India in south-east: NSA

Acknowledging China's powerful presence in south Asia, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon asserted that India's plays a role of equal degree in south-east Asia.

"Of course China has a presence in South Asia. It has (been there) for a long time... We have a presence in East Asia for a long time. And that's fact," he said, while responding to questions on emergence of China as a powerful force in South Asia and its interference in the region.

"But that presence has changed as we evolved – as China's presence has changed, as we have changed, as East Asia has changed. And we would continue to do so.

"I think we have long enough tradition of statecraft comfortable to be able to deal with," Menon said.

He argued that the presence of India and China is not limited to a particular region, but they are emerging as global powers.