New Delhi: The Indian Navy have effectively carried out mission-based deployment to protect maritime interests. They are doing so by positioning ships and aircraft at major and sensitive locations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said this Wednesday, amid a tense border row with China. The defence minister was addressing the top naval commanders. He was speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day conference.
Singh also complimented the force and expressed confidence in its preparedness to meet any challenge through a ‘proactive response’ in deploying its ships and aircraft, the Navy said in a statement.
The conclave is aimed at carrying out a comprehensive review of the evolving regional maritime security matrix. Also the overall implications of the border row with China in eastern Ladakh will be reviewd.
The Indian Navy has deployed a range of its frontline warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean region. This has been done to send a clear message to China following the escalation of the border dispute in eastern Ladakh.
“I applaud the Indian Navy for their role in protecting the maritime interests of the nation. I have full confidence in the Navy’s preparedness to meet any challenge through a proactive response. They will do so by deploying its ships and aircraft,” Singh tweeted later in the day.
All possible security challenges that India may face in the Indian Ocean Region were discussed at the conclave, people familiar with the issue said.
The Indian Navy started rolling out its mission-based plan in June 2017. It involved deploying mission-ready ships and aircraft along critical sea lanes of communications with an aim to effectively counter China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region.
Singh said it is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). He also highlighted the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff and Department of Military Affairs/MoD (DMA) as major milestones in bringing more synergy among the three services, especially in training, procurement and joint unity in operations.
The defence minister said that accepting the challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic in the current financial year, the Indian Navy has continued to make progress in operational, administrative and modernisation efforts. Notwithstanding these fiscal challenges, the government has invoked the Emergency Powers to meet the emergent requirements of the services, he added.