Rajnath: India for rules-based order in Indo-Pacific

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that India stands for a free, open and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, urging the country's naval brass to keep track of the "changing circumstances" in the vast maritime expanse and stay prepared for challenges as India has a crucial role to play in the region.

- Rahul Singh

NEW DELHI:

Without naming China, he said that the Indian Navy ensures that no nation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) suppresses another based on its "overwhelming economy and military power."

He inaugurated naval infrastructure worth ₹2,000 crore at Karwar in Karnataka, including berthing facilities for warships and submarines to boost the Indian Navy's posture in the region.

"Security is an ongoing adaptation process, wherein there is a need to keep assessing, planning, and coming up with new ideas. We need to analyse how India can make its role more effective," Singh said, addressing the Naval Commanders' Conference at Karwar. The comments come at a time when China is seeking to boost its influence in the region by setting up military bases, pushing countries to advance its maritime claims and forcing strategic concessions from vulnerable states.