Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (23 October) declared that the Indian Ocean Region has become the centre of contemporary geopolitics, transforming from a passive area into an arena of competition and cooperation.
Addressing the Naval Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi, Singh emphasised that the Indian Navy has played a leadership role in the region through its multidimensional capabilities.
The Defence Minister highlighted that over the past six months, Indian ships, submarines and naval aircraft have been deployed at an unprecedented scale.
The Navy provided safe passage to approximately 335 merchant vessels, equalling around 1.2 million metric tons of cargo with a trade value of 5.6 billion dollars.
Singh described this as proof that India has become a trusted and capable partner in the global maritime economy.
Describing the Indian Navy’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region as a matter of comfort for friendly nations and discomfort for those seeking to destabilise the region, Singh stressed the need for advancing naval strategy in sync with the rapidly evolving world.
He emphasised three crucial areas: capability encompassing technology and strength, people including sailors and their families, and partnerships with industries, academia and international cooperation.
The Defence Minister also commended the Navy for Operation Sindoor, which demonstrated India’s operational readiness and professional capability.
He noted that the operation forced Pakistan to remain in harbour or near its coast, showcasing the Navy’s deterrent posture.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and other senior defence officials attended the conference, which serves as a platform for fine-tuning the Navy’s outlook towards mitigating multidimensional challenges in the current geostrategic environment.
Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google
Also Read: Cash-Strapped Pakistan Eyes BRICS Bank Seat With China’s Support But India Stands In The Way