Indian Ocean Region more challenging than ever, says Rajnath Singh ahead of INS Mahendragiri commissioning
Visakhapatnam, July 10
Ahead of the Commissioning of INS Mahendragiri, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday interacted with naval officers and sailors at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base. He shared the Bada Khana with naval officers and sailors
During the interaction, Rajnath Singh warned them about the challenges in the Indian Ocean region. He said, "Today, the presence of extra-regional powers is increasing, and a new strategic competition has begun in the Indian Ocean region."
Addressing the naval officers and sailors, the Defence Minister said, "Your work is closely connected to the Indian Ocean Region. How important this region is for India is no secret. 90 per cent of our trade is carried through sea routes. Our energy supplies, including oil and gas, also come through these maritime routes."
"Several powers seek to expand their influence in our neighbourhood and establish a stronger presence. India, as the largest power in this region, is also its greatest guarantor of peace and stability. For us, the Indian Ocean is like our own courtyard, and protecting it is our responsibility. Until now, you have enhanced India's honor and prestige across the Indian Ocean Region," he added.
Assuring all possible support from the government, the Defence Minister said that "the current challenges facing the defence sector are set to become even more complex in the future. The nature of warfare is changing. I want every sailor to learn and embrace new technologies. Our government will make every effort to provide you with the best weapons, technology, and resources. But it is you who must give those weapons their true edge. Wars are won by the people who wield the weapons."
He also said that, "we are moving firmly towards self-reliance. India is setting new milestones in the defence sector every day. The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri tomorrow is a testament to this. Today, Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a new hub for defence and aerospace manufacturing. From here, you are working to further strengthen India's maritime domain."
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Indian Ocean region is becoming a chessboard for global powers. China's increasing naval presence near our shores is worrying. Rajnath Singh is spot on — we need to be vigilant and self-reliant. INS Mahendragiri shows we are taking this seriously. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Good to see our defence minister interacting with sailors directly. But the real challenge is not just technology — it's keeping our navy well-funded and modernized. We talk about being the "largest power" but our naval budget is still less than many smaller nations. Hope the government walks the talk.
The Indian Ocean is not just our courtyard — it's our lifeline for trade and energy. With China building bases in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, we need more ships like INS Mahendragiri. Happy to see Andhra Pradesh becoming a defence hub. This is what local manufacturing should look like.
While I appreciate the focus on self-reliance, we must also ensure that our navy has proper cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. Modern wars are fought with technology, not just ships. Rajnath ji's emphasis on sailors learning new tech is crucial. But is the training infrastructure up to date?
China's string of pearls strategy is real. INS Mahendragiri is a good addition, but we need at least 200 ships to effectively patrol the IOR. The government should accelerate Project 75 and 75I submarines. Also, why no mention of boosting Coast Guard? They are equally important.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.