New Delhi, Sep 29 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said India has emerged as a “first responder” and “preferred security partner” in the Indian Ocean Region, and called for upgrading the country’s maritime surveillance and response mechanisms amid growing challenges at sea.
Addressing the second edition of the Indian Navy’s biannual Commanders’ Conference here, Singh said the presence of Indian warships in the South China Sea, Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean demonstrates the country’s blue-water naval capability.
“Today, issues such as congestion, deception and gray-zone activities have made our maritime domain far more complex than ever before. Hence, we must elevate our monitoring and response mechanisms to a new level,” he said.
Singh said the Indian Navy has a crucial role in ensuring strategic depth and regional power projection, and urged it to remain a future-ready, combat-ready and globally respected force.
He said the Navy is a strategic anchor in the government’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, going beyond protection of maritime boundaries to strengthening economic security, regional stability and India’s power projection.
Highlighting the Navy’s role during the recent West Asia crisis, Singh said ensuring the safe transit of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, particularly LPG tankers, through the Strait of Hormuz under Operation Urja Suraksha was an important achievement.
India imports around 85-90 per cent of its crude oil and nearly 50 per cent of its natural gas through maritime routes, making the security of sea lanes critical to the country’s economy, energy supplies and defence preparedness, he said.
Singh also highlighted the Navy’s contribution to defence self-reliance, saying warships commissioned recently have more than 75 per cent indigenous content.
“India must not only meet its own requirements but also export its warships to friendly foreign nations,” he said.
The Defence Minister called for a significant upgrade of the country’s maritime surveillance architecture, saying the growing volume and complexity of maritime traffic required enhanced analytical capabilities.
He described 2026 as a “historic year” for the Navy, with 18 warships planned for induction or commissioning, which would constitute the largest single-year force accretion in its history.
Singh also commended the Navy’s efforts towards women’s empowerment and innovation under the “All Ranks, All Roles” approach, including the deployment of women officers on frontline warships and aircraft.
He congratulated the Navy on assuming command of Combined Task Force-154 under the Combined Maritime Forces and highlighted Operation Southern Readiness conducted in Kochi during India’s command tenure.
The exercise involved 276 personnel from 27 countries, 76 facilitators and subject-matter experts, and four international organisations, he said.
Singh also highlighted the deployment of INS Sudarshini for Lokayan-26, saying it strengthened India’s maritime diplomacy and engagement with the Indian diaspora across the US, Atlantic and Mediterranean regions while showcasing the country’s maritime heritage.
Concluding his address, Singh said India’s maritime power was aimed not merely at displaying the national flag at sea but at ensuring that wherever the Tricolour is seen, it conveys security, trust and confidence.
“If the seas are secure, India will be secure; and if India is secure, the resolve for a Viksit Bharat will be further strengthened,” he said.
The three-day conference, being held from September 29 to October 1, brings together the top leadership of the Navy to review operational preparedness, maritime security and future capability development.
Singh also interacted with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi during the conference.—(NVI)
