India remains steadfast in its commitment to maritime security, ensuring the safety and protection of cargo vessels amidst evolving threats, asserted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the opening ceremony of the Milan naval exercise in Visakhapatnam. Against the backdrop of heightened global concerns regarding attacks on commercial vessels by Houthi militants in the Red Sea, Singh reaffirmed India's proactive stance in countering threats that jeopardize regional stability and collective well-being.
Singh underscored India's proactive engagement in the Western Indian Ocean, offering assistance to merchant vessels targeted by attacks. Emphasizing India's resolve to be the primary security partner in the Indian Ocean Region, he highlighted the nation's continuous efforts to uphold peace, stability, and prosperity in the broader Indo-Pacific.
Describing India's role as a 'Vishwa Mitra' (friend of the world), Singh emphasized forging meaningful partnerships to foster global connectivity and equity. He urged the international community to collectively aspire for peace within a rules-based global order.
Addressing the concept of peace, Singh delineated between negative peace, characterized by dominance and instability, and positive peace, which entails broader notions of security, justice, and cooperation. He emphasized the importance of shared global peace, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for dialogue and diplomacy in the contemporary era.
Singh highlighted the dual role of armed forces in conducting wars and maintaining peace, citing historical examples and contemporary practices such as deterrence and humanitarian assistance efforts.
The Milan exercise, according to Singh, serves as a platform to strengthen fraternal bonds among friendly nations. Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the exercise's role in enhancing cohesion, camaraderie, and collaboration among participating navies across the Indo-Pacific region.
Singh also launched the NISHAR communication terminal, a critical component for achieving interoperability among partner navies. The exercise, which commenced in 1995, reflects the growing stature and significance of collective endeavors in maritime security, with the current edition witnessing participation from over 50 navies.
The ongoing Milan exercise includes a series of activities aimed at enhancing operational capabilities and fostering cooperation among participating nations, furthering the shared goal of maintaining peace and stability in the maritime domain.
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