France, Nov. 28 -- India has put into commission its fourth French submarine - built locally in Mumbai - shortlyafter adding a separate stealth warship to itsnavy. The move comes as the country asserts itself in the Indian Ocean, where Western powers also hope to counter China's influence.

Deployed this week, INS Velais part of a contract worth 2.6 billion euros for six diesel-powered Scorpene submarines jointly built with French military contractor the Naval Group, formerly DCNS.

Its deployment comes as border tensions with China threatento spill into the Indian Ocean where last month India, Australia, Japan and the US, dubbed Quad, staged the second leg of their naval exercises.

Indian navy chief Karambir Singh said INS Vela was full...