NEW DELHI: India’s Defence Minister Sharad Pawar has said that “disinformation” was being spread about the Indian naval capability and made it clear that the Navy does not have “any regional or international ambitions.”
Addressing the parliamentary attached to his ministry here recently; Pawar said the Indian Navy had been strengthened taking into account the geopolitical situation in the Indian Ocean,
Responding to questions by members about the Indian Navy’s capabilities, Pawar emphasized the Navy’s responsibilities to safeguard the long coastline, protect inland territories on offshore installations, protect the large seaborne trade and keep an eye on activities in the country’s exclusive economic zone.
Pawar explained that the joint exercises undertaken by the Indian Navy with navies of other countries, including the United States recently, were aimed at confidence building and professional exchanges. “Indian Navy seeks friendly relations with all neighboring countries,” he said. Pawar underlined the importance of the Navy’s indigenization program and the need for providing it full support. The defence shipyards have built a large number of naval vessels including warships, and several such ships were presently under various stages of construction. This was a signal achievement in the sphere of indigenization, he said. As ship construction was a long-gestation activity, adequate financial support was necessary, he added.
Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 21, 1992
