New Delhi (NVI): Driven by the need for ‘collective growth’ in the Indian Ocean Region and its geostrategic location in IOR, India is ready to supply various types of missile systems, LCA/Helicopters and other defence equipment to friendly nations in the region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said today.
“India is ready to supply various types of Missile systems, LCA/Helicopters, Multi-Purpose Light Transport aircraft, Warship and Patrol Vessels, Artillery Gun systems, Tanks, Radars, Military Vehicles, Electronic Warfare Systems and other weapons systems to IOR nations,” the Defence Minister said at IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave in Bengaluru today, on the sidelines of Aero India-2021.
India is ready to supply various types of Missile systems, LCA/Helicopters, Multi-Purpose Light Transport aircraft, Warship and Patrol Vessels, Artillery Gun systems, Tanks, Radars, Military Vehicles, Electronic Warfare Systems and other weapons systems to IOR nations: RM
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) February 4, 2021
“Due to its geostrategic location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), maritime character, India has enjoyed historical and cultural ties with the littoral states. India has been at the forefront of a regional cooperation initiative of the Indian Ocean Rim countries,” the Raksha Mantri’s Office (Defence Minister’s Office) quoted Rajnath as saying.
At the IOR conclave, Rajnath said that many of countries in the region are becoming globally competitive and are developing new technologies, including defence shipyards for design & shipbuilding, which can be jointly harnessed through regional cooperation efforts.
“Organising a Conclave of countries in the IOR on the margins of the international event ‘AeroIndia-2021’ shows the importance India attaches to the vision of common growth and stability, and constructive engagements with IOR countries,” he said.
He said that in order to synergize efforts of all IOR countries to ensure safety and security in this region, it is high time that these nations take their economy, trade, naval cooperation and collaboration to the higher level.
“There is a political, strategic and economic logic for IOR to be the region of the future. Futures of countries in the IOR are interlinked and dependent on how effectively and efficiently we tackle present and emerging challenges and leverage opportunities in the Indian Ocean,” he said.
Rajnath said that in the field of constructive engagement, the Navies in the region are engaging through staff talks, bilateral and multilateral exercises and coordinated patrols.
He also lauded the Indian Navy for successfully evacuating around 4000 Indian nationals from IOR region under Operation ‘Samudra Setu’ during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These missions would not have been a success without the able assistance from our maritime neighbours,” he added.
Notably, the crucial IOR conclave during Aero India 2021 in Bengaluru bears significance amidst the India-China border row and Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the Indio-Pacific region.
-ARK
