Terror, piracy key challenges to maritime security, says PM

VISAKHAPATNAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged the threat of sea-borne terror and piracy as two key challenges to maritime security even as he pitched for respecting freedom of navigation against the backdrop of South China sea dispute.

Visakhapatnam, February 7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged the threat of sea-borne terror and piracy as two key challenges to maritime security even as he pitched for respecting freedom of navigation against the backdrop of South China sea dispute. In an apparent reference to the audacious 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Modi said, “The threat of sea-borne terror, of which India has been a direct victim, continues to endanger regional and global peace and stability.”

He said piracy also remains a strong challenge against the backdrop of Somali pirates targeting merchant vessels, including those of India. Addressing the valedictory function of International Fleet Review, Modi also made a veiled reference to the South China Sea dispute, saying countries must “respect and ensure freedom of navigation and cooperate, not compete”.

After hosting the 3rd India-Africa Summit and the India-Pacific Island Cooperation, the country would now host the first-ever global maritime summit in April.

Referring to his government’s ambitious “Make in India” initiative, Modi said 37 of the Indian warships participating in the fleet review were made in India and their numbers would surely rise.

He said the nation’s ability to reap economic benefits from the oceans rested on “our capacity to respond to the challenges in the maritime domain”. “The threat of natural disasters such as tsunami and cyclones is ever-present. Man-made problems such as oil spills, climate change continue to risk the stability of the maritime domain,” he said.

A peaceful and stable maritime environment was critical for regional and global security, he added. “It is also a must to harvest the riches of the oceanic ecosystems,” he said.

Modi said India’s 1,200 island territories, and its huge exclusive economic zone of 2.4 million sq km made clear the economic significance of the Indian Ocean. “For us, it also serves as a strategic bridge with the nations in our immediate and extended maritime neighbourhood. In March last year in Mauritius, I spelt out our vision for the Indian Ocean. The Indian Ocean region is one of my foremost policy priorities. Our approach is evident in our vision of ‘sagar’, which means ocean and stands for Security And Growth for All in the Region,” he said. — PTI