(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – India believes in ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ to deal with cooperative measures for sustainable use of oceans, stated President Ram Nath Kovind while speaking at the Presidential Fleet Review-2022 at Visakhapatnam on Monday.
The President stated that a big part of international commerce flows via the Indian Ocean Region. Safety of the seas and of the maritime commons, due to this fact, stays an essential requirement, he noted.
Lauding the Indian Navy for its contribution to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the President said that nearly 70% of various under-construction warships and submarines are indigenous.
“It is a matter of great pride that India has built nuclear submarines and soon we would have our indigenously built aircraft carrier, ‘Vikrant’, joining the service,” said President Kovind.
He added that the Indian Navy’s fixed vigil, immediate response to incidents and untiring efforts have been extremely profitable in this regard.
The President congratulated the Indian Navy for the splendid conduct of the Fleet Review, overcoming all challenges and restrictions imposed by the pandemic. He said, “As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, this is a moment of immense satisfaction for me. The nation is proud of our brave navy personnel,” he said.
The President stated that through the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Navy has been offering help to other nations by supplying medicines and evacuating stranded Indian residents and overseas nationals in several components of the world beneath ‘Mission SAGAR’ and ‘Samudra Setu’.
He further stated that the immediate and efficient deployment of the Indian Navy within the occasions of disaster has underscored India’s imaginative and prescient of being the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ and ‘First Responder’ within the Indian Ocean Region.
Pointing to the historical importance of Visakhapatnam, also popularly known as Vizag, the President said that it has been an important port for centuries. “Its strategic importance is underlined by the fact that the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is located in Vizag,” he pointed out.
President Kovind additionally congratulated the Indian Navy for the sumptuous conduct of the Fleet Review, overcoming all challenges and restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the ceremony.
India News Network
