New Delhi: In a clear expression of intent, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday announced in Mumbai that the Modi Government is “fully committed to develop a real blue-water navy, a Navy which can dominate the Indian Ocean Region”.
He, however, added that it would be a Navy that is considered friendly by the neighbouring countries. The minister was speaking at ceremony to mark the commissioning of the new state-of-the-art indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Kochi that will further strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy. India is focusing on increasing its maritime strength, given the increasing footprints of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean region and the movement of Chinese submarines in the area. The minister’s emphasis on Indian naval “dominance” of the Indian Ocean region is a clear signal of the government’s focus on maritime strength, feel observers.
“We will develop a real blue-water navy which will dominate the Indian Ocean region,” Mr Parrikar said adding, “We still lack in fire power.”
“The Navy has chalked out an indigenisation plan for the next 15 years. There is renewed enthusiasm in the defence production units, PSUs and private sector,” he added.
In a statement from New Delhi, the ministry of defence said, “Comm-issioning INS Kochi, the second ship of the indigenously des-igned and constructed Project 15A (Kolkata-class) guided missile Destroyers, Mr Parrikar gave two examples to illustrate his point — that of transporting drinking water to Maldives when the latter’s water treatment plant was damaged last year, and the rescue and evacuation of nationals.
