New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the Indian Navy for its vital role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean, emphasizing the region’s strategic importance due to its economic, geopolitical, trade, and security factors. On Thursday, he was addressing the second edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2024 in New Delhi.
Highlighting the transformation of India from a landlocked nation with coastal borders to one that can be viewed as an island nation with land borders, Singh commended the Navy’s preparedness in safeguarding the country’s maritime interests. This readiness, he noted, has cemented India’s position as the first responder in the region.
“The Indian Ocean is vital as a large portion of global trade passes through it. However, threats like piracy, hijacking, drone and missile attacks, and disruptions to sea cable connections make it extremely sensitive. Our Navy has played a key role in protecting the economic interests of Indo-Pacific nations, ensuring smooth trade in the region. Its anti-piracy operations are widely respected both in India and globally. Today, India is regarded as a preferred security partner in the region, and we stand ready to ensure its security when needed,” Singh stated.
The Defence Minister stressed that the growing strength of the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific must not be taken lightly, urging Naval Commanders to regularly evaluate their readiness and prepare for any eventuality in the current volatile global climate. He emphasized the importance of a strong naval force to protect India’s economic, trade, and national interests.
Singh reiterated the government’s commitment, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to enhance the Navy’s capabilities by commissioning advanced ships, submarines, and other state-of-the-art assets, with a focus on self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). He highlighted that 64 ships and submarines are under construction in Indian shipyards, with orders for 24 more platforms already placed.
During the event, the Defence Minister also attended a tech demonstration showcasing indigenous solutions, including autonomous systems, domain awareness, software-defined radios, and other cutting-edge technologies developed by the Navy’s premier R&D organization, Weapons & Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, and other senior military and civilian officials were present.
The Naval Commanders’ Conference, a biannual apex-level event, facilitates discussions on key strategic, operational, and administrative matters. Held amid evolving geopolitical dynamics and regional challenges, the conference plays a critical role in shaping the future of the Indian Navy, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime interests as a “combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready force,” according to a press note from the DPR (Defence), New Delhi.
