NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, AUG 19
Top commanders of the Indian Navy on Wednesday began an in-depth review of the evolving regional maritime security architecture as well as the border row with China in eastern Ladakh on the first day of a three-day conclave, officials said.
Raksha Mantri at the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2020. @indiannavy pic.twitter.com/i7IU7XSp8D
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 19, 2020
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the inaugural session of the conclave.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh attended the inaugural session of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2020 at Sena Bhawan in New Delhi today. @indiannavy pic.twitter.com/4Q9Nl3cLtS
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 19, 2020
The key focus of the conclave included reviewing the Indian Navy’s operational readiness as well as issues relating to India’s security interests in the Indo-Pacific, a region where China has been rapidly expanding its military presence, the officials said.
33rd Naval Higher Command Course commenced at #NavalWarCollege (NWC) Goa.
The flagship professional military education programme of #IndianNavy is conducted annually at the NWC & focusses on #MaritimeStrategy, Naval & Joint operations & transformational issues (1/2). pic.twitter.com/Ac1NmlydRu— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 18, 2020
All possible security challenges that the country may face, including from China in the Indian Ocean Region, were discussed at the conclave, people familiar with the meet said.
#IndianCoastGuard #Gujarat Interceptor Boat ICGS C-454 designed & built by M/s L& T was launched at Surat. 51 IBs out of 54 ordered have been handed over to Indian Coast Guard #AtmaNirbharBharat @SpokespersonMoD@IndiaCoastGuard@PTI_News @DDNewsGujarati pic.twitter.com/prXZrp9Wkc
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) August 19, 2020
The Indian Navy has deployed a range of its frontline warships and submarines in the Indian Ocean Region to send a clear message to China following the escalation of the border dispute.
“The conference assumes greater significance in the backdrop of recent events on our northern borders, coupled with the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19,” the Indian Navy said in a statement on Tuesday.
The naval commanders would also deliberate on ensuring tri-services synergy as well as a functional reorganisation within the Navy to improve efficiency, it said, adding the conference would also discuss the larger security imperatives in the Indo-Pacific.
#NationalCadetCorps #Gujarat Cdt Vini Sharma #1GujGirlsBn Ahmedabad motivating people 4 #AatmaNirbharBharat #VocalForLocal @SpokespersonMoD @HQ_DG_NCC @PIBAhmedabad @MSDESkillIndia @airnews_abad @InfoGujarat @drajaykumar_ias @BOC_MIB @DefenceMinIndia @CMOGuj @DDNewsGujarati pic.twitter.com/1IABtQeva8
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) August 19, 2020
The Indian Ocean, considered the backyard of the Indian Navy, is critical to India’s strategic interests. Over the years, the region has witnessed an increasing Chinese presence.
China has constructed the deep-sea Gwadar Port in southern Pakistan and a naval base in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.
In the last few weeks, the Navy has significantly expanded its deployment in the Indian Ocean Region, positioning a plethora of warships and submarines following the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed.
The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details. According to an American intelligence report, the number of casualties on the Chinese side was 35.
