NEW DELHI: Top Navy commanders will kick off a four-day conference on Tuesday to review the security situation and operational preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), amid the ever-expanding Chinese forays into the region, the threat from pirates and Houthi rebels, and the current situation in Bangladesh.
The naval commanders’ conference, chaired by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, will deliberate on “significant strategic, operational and administrative issues” against the backdrop of the evolving geopolitical dynamics, regional challenges and “complexity” in the maritime security situation in West Asia, officers said on Monday.
In addition to the regular presence of Chinese warships and ‘spy’ vessels in the IOR, which saw destroyer Hefei and amphibious warfare ships Wuzhishan and Qilianshan docking at Colombo last month, the growing Beijing-Islamabad collusiveness in the maritime domain after the land borders poses a major strategic challenge for India.
China is helping Pakistan build a strong Navy, having already delivered four Type 054A/P multi-role frigates, for instance, while eight Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines are also in the pipeline.
The Indian naval commanders will also review modernization plans as well as operational, logistics, human resource development, training and administrative activities over the last six months, and the future key milestones to be crossed to safeguard maritime interests.
While defence minister Rajnath Singh will address the conference on matters pertaining to national security and expectations, the chief of defence staff, the Army and IAF chiefs will also interact with the commanders to foster collaboration among the three Services across the entire spectrum of conflict and the impending creation of integrated theatre commands.
“The Navy has responded with strength and resolve against emerging threats of drones and missiles affecting safety of trade, demonstrating its capability as preferred security responder in the IOR,” an officer said.
“Towards the Navy’s commitment to protect India’s maritime interests in the region, the conference would witness a comprehensive review of the operational preparedness, including discussions on the capability enhancement plan, promoting national vision of indigenisation, self-reliance and realising combat effectiveness of naval forces,” he added.
The naval commanders’ conference, chaired by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, will deliberate on “significant strategic, operational and administrative issues” against the backdrop of the evolving geopolitical dynamics, regional challenges and “complexity” in the maritime security situation in West Asia, officers said on Monday.
In addition to the regular presence of Chinese warships and ‘spy’ vessels in the IOR, which saw destroyer Hefei and amphibious warfare ships Wuzhishan and Qilianshan docking at Colombo last month, the growing Beijing-Islamabad collusiveness in the maritime domain after the land borders poses a major strategic challenge for India.
China is helping Pakistan build a strong Navy, having already delivered four Type 054A/P multi-role frigates, for instance, while eight Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines are also in the pipeline.
The Indian naval commanders will also review modernization plans as well as operational, logistics, human resource development, training and administrative activities over the last six months, and the future key milestones to be crossed to safeguard maritime interests.
While defence minister Rajnath Singh will address the conference on matters pertaining to national security and expectations, the chief of defence staff, the Army and IAF chiefs will also interact with the commanders to foster collaboration among the three Services across the entire spectrum of conflict and the impending creation of integrated theatre commands.
“The Navy has responded with strength and resolve against emerging threats of drones and missiles affecting safety of trade, demonstrating its capability as preferred security responder in the IOR,” an officer said.
“Towards the Navy’s commitment to protect India’s maritime interests in the region, the conference would witness a comprehensive review of the operational preparedness, including discussions on the capability enhancement plan, promoting national vision of indigenisation, self-reliance and realising combat effectiveness of naval forces,” he added.
