India was ready to supply various types of weapons systems to IOR countries: Rajnath

Feb 4, 2021

Bangaluru: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India was ready to supply various types of weapons systems to IOR countries, while stressing that as the largest nation in the IOR region with a vast coast line of 7500 Kms, India has an active role to play for peaceful and prosperous co-existence of all countries.

”The negative impact of conflicting claims in some maritime areas of the world highlighted the need to ensure peace in the IOR region,” Singh said addressing the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Defence Ministers’ Conclave here.

As many as 26 out of 28 IOR countries are participating and sharing their views on enhancing regional cooperation.

The Defence Minister noted that IOR countries have demonstrated mutual respect for a rules-based order and commitment to abide by international law. He said the linked futures of IOR countries depend on how they tackle emerging challenges and leverage opportunities.

Raksha Mantri spoke of the various policy initiatives of the government to promote trade and tourism among IOR countries through sea link Sagarmala, Project Mausam, and Asia Africa Growth Corridor etc. He emphasized the need to take economic, trade, naval cooperation and collaboration further in the region.

”…in consonance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR, Neighbourhood First and Act East Policies, India has adopted a cooperative approach through capacity building assistance in partner countries. This was reflected in India’s supply of Indian made ships, maritime aircraft and setting-up of Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems, Singh said.

The Defence Minister said India is ready to supply various types of weapons systems to IOR countries. India has adopted a cooperative approach through capacity building assistance in partner countries, and this was reflected in India’s supply of Indian made ships, maritime aircraft and setting-up of Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems.

He also pointed out India was developing a comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness picture in the IOR, which has resulted in signing of Technical Agreements for sharing of ‘White Shipping Information’.

He added that Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Non-combatant Evacuation (NEO), and Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations are important and highlighted India’s swift response during the cyclones in Mozambique and Madagascar and reaching out to countries through medical teams, medicines such as hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol tablets, diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves and other medical supplies through Operation-Sagar-I during COVID times. He further said that Op-SAGAR-II saw over 300 metric tons of humanitarian aid being delivered to 4 nations in the IOR.

Singh also spoke of vaccine supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles which, he said, had already highlighted India’s commitment to protect humanity from COVID-19.

In his closing remarks, the Defence Minister said the enthusiastic participation was a symbol of the collective desire of the nations of the IOR region to work together.

Highlighting the global geopolitical and commercial significance of the Indian ocean, he said 75 per cent of global trade and 50 per cent of daily global transfers already pass through the region. He further said the deployment of ships by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast guard for maritime security and anti-piracy operations had been successful in minimising threats to commercial shipping.

—India News Stream