New Delhi: Defence minister today said that India’s economic prosperity is linked to maritime security and, therefore, it’s necessary to protect our territorial waters and ensure freedom of navigation. He was addressing senior Navy officers and other civilian staff during the celebration of the ‘Year of Naval Civilians’.
Defence Minister reiterated the Union government’s resolve to strengthen the Indian Navy taking into consideration India’s strategic location and its geopolitical situation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Citing the example of the commissioning of three frontline naval combatants—INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer—he said these warships are a symbol of India’s empowerment.
Observing that India’s economic prosperity is linked to maritime security, he said it is necessary to protect the country’s territorial waters, ensure freedom of navigation, and keep sea routes, which are the maritime highways, safe.
In recent years, major naval powers have reduced their presence in IOR, while the Indian Navy has increased it, he pointed out.
He highlighted the importance of having a special awareness campaign on cyber security in the armed forces as cyber security is an important aspect of maritime security in today’s times and ignoring this could prove to be detrimental.
Further, the defence minister underlined the need to strengthen India’s offensive and defensive responses in the wake of the turmoil being witnessed in the rules-based international order.
He highlighted the increasing complexities for the armed forces due to the tense geopolitical security scenario and pitched to increase the critical capability of the country at the earliest.
Calling the current decade a “volatile” one, he said, “We are witnessing conflicts and wars in different regions across the world.
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