Happenings in maritime will dictate growth of India globally

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, Jan 11: Maharashtra Governor S M Krishna, today emphasised the 21st century belonged to Asia and as a result, happenings in the maritime sector will dictate the economic and regional growth of India domestically and globally.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two-day Maritime Security Conference on 'Maritime Trade&Security Striking the Right Balance' organised by the 'The College of Naval Warfare' in association with leading research groups such as the Naval Maritime Foundation and Observer Research Foundation, here at INHS Aswini.

Appreciating the research groups for their participation in the conference, Mr Krishna said with liberalisation and the subsequent flow of domestic and foreign investments in the country, the character, role and demand of maritime security measures have changed considerably.

For that reason it has become important and imperative for security agencies, research groups and other concerned bodies involved with maritime interests to come out with suggestions and opinion to plug the gaps and augment existing security measures, he added.

Flag Officer Commanding-in Chief Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Sangram Singh Byce said maritime strategy draws a clear parallel between the economic capability vis-a-vis naval capability of a country.

He said the United States Intelligence Council has predicted that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of INdia will cross the GDP of Japan by 2020. In this regard, maritime agencies need to be ready to confront newer challenges arising out of seatrade. Further, the Vice Admiral said the Western Fleet should take initiatives to establish a common maritime body to augment and coordinate operations of different agencies involved in the protection of the vast sea heritage of India.

Post-liberalisation, patrolling of sea lanes and the high seas have become a matter of alarming complexity for the Navy.

With the 9/11 incident, there has been a dramatic change in the sea front with rogue elements and fringe groups taking refuge in maritime terrorism to strike global targets, VAdm byce said.

Citing the attack on United States Ship (USS) Cole and another French carrier in the West Asian waters, he cautioned the Navy to be ready to confront rising sea challeneges such as gun running, narco-carriers, sea piracy and a host of other dangerous anti-sea activities in view of the country's emerging economic and military status in Asia.

UNI

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