Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Friday that his focus will be on further strengthening India’s maritime security and making its presence in the Indian Ocean region more effective and robust as a naval power. Singh made these remarks during his first visit here after becoming the Defence Minister for the second consecutive time. He visited the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam to review the operational preparedness of the Indian Navy and participated in the ‘Day at Sea’ event on INS Jalashwa.
A press release quoted Singh as saying, “The Indian Navy is becoming stronger due to the growing industrial infrastructure. Our shipyards are expanding, the number of aircraft carriers is increasing and our Navy is emerging as a new powerful force. We will accelerate our efforts in this term as well.” He said that the government’s focus on land border and maritime security is a comprehensive vision – to tie the northern and southern parts of the nation together.
He said, “It is a matter of great pride that our Navy is ensuring safe trade in the Indian Ocean region and promoting peace and prosperity. Free navigation, rule-based world order, anti-piracy and ensuring peace and stability in the region are our biggest objectives.”