New Delhi, June 1 MM Pallam Raju, Minister of State for Defence after taking charge of his office on Monday said that India is keeping an eye on growing influence of China in Pakistan and other neighbouring countries and steps are taken that it does not pose a threat to India.

"There is no shortfall in preparedness from our side in this regard. Chinese influence is not just in Pakistan. They are trying to develop a port in Sri Lanka and in Myanmar. And we are well aware of all these developments. We are taking steps that Chinese influence does not pose a threat," said Raju.

China and Pakistan have helped Sri Lanka in its action against the LTTE.

China is also helping Sri Lanka build the Hambantota port, which many see as part of Beijing's "String of Pearls" strategy of building relations with countries along sea-lanes from the Middle East to the South China Sea.

China recently built a Civil Service Hospital in Nepal and said that would continue the economic and technical assistance to Nepal. (ANI)