<p>New Delhi: India's offensive and defensive responses need to be further strengthened in view of turmoil in the rules-based global order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.</p><p>In an address at an event, he also said that the Indian Navy is working towards increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean region.</p><p>The Indian Ocean is witnessing increasing Chinese presence triggering concern among India's national security planners.</p>.Rajnath Singh, UK defence secretary hold phone conversation.<p>India's economic prosperity is linked to maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, Singh said, adding it is important to protect the territorial waters and keep the sea routes safe.</p><p>He was speaking at an event organised to commemorate 2024 as the Year of Naval Civilians.</p><p>In his remarks, Singh underlined the need to strengthen India's offensive and defensive responses in view of the turmoil being witnessed in various geographies.</p><p>The defence minister highlighted the increasing complexities for the armed forces in view of the tense geopolitical security scenario and pitched for increasing India's critical capability at the earliest.</p><p>"If we assess the entire decade from a defence and security perspective, we can say that it has been a volatile decade," he said.</p><p>"We are witnessing conflicts and wars in different regions across the world. Keeping these things in mind, we need planning, resourcing and budgeting for our security," he said.</p><p>Singh said there is a need to adopt a consultative approach and take inputs from all the stakeholders on how to face future challenges.</p><p>"Our forces should be equipped and ready according to the changing times," he said emphasising that the civilian workforce, which is an integral part of the armed forces, will play a crucial role in the planning process.</p><p>The defence minister stressed that the military is surging forward with a big mandate and complex structure and the civilian workforce "soldiers without uniforms" play a pivotal role.</p><p>"In the broader perspective of national service, every responsible civilian is a soldier without uniform and every soldier is a civilian in uniform," he said.</p><p>Singh also said that India's economic prosperity is linked to maritime security.</p><p>"It is, therefore, necessary to protect our territorial waters, ensure freedom of navigation, and keep sea routes, which are our maritime highways, safe," he said.</p><p>Singh said major naval powers have reduced their presence in the Indian Ocean region in recent years, while the Indian Navy has increased it.</p><p>"There is a possibility of an increase in threats in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and the sea areas adjacent to East African countries," he said.</p><p>"In view of this, the Indian Navy is working towards increasing its presence further," he added.</p><p>The defence minister described cyber security as an important aspect of maritime security in today's times.</p><p>He said ignoring cyber attacks can prove to be detrimental.</p>
<p>New Delhi: India's offensive and defensive responses need to be further strengthened in view of turmoil in the rules-based global order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday.</p><p>In an address at an event, he also said that the Indian Navy is working towards increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean region.</p><p>The Indian Ocean is witnessing increasing Chinese presence triggering concern among India's national security planners.</p>.Rajnath Singh, UK defence secretary hold phone conversation.<p>India's economic prosperity is linked to maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, Singh said, adding it is important to protect the territorial waters and keep the sea routes safe.</p><p>He was speaking at an event organised to commemorate 2024 as the Year of Naval Civilians.</p><p>In his remarks, Singh underlined the need to strengthen India's offensive and defensive responses in view of the turmoil being witnessed in various geographies.</p><p>The defence minister highlighted the increasing complexities for the armed forces in view of the tense geopolitical security scenario and pitched for increasing India's critical capability at the earliest.</p><p>"If we assess the entire decade from a defence and security perspective, we can say that it has been a volatile decade," he said.</p><p>"We are witnessing conflicts and wars in different regions across the world. Keeping these things in mind, we need planning, resourcing and budgeting for our security," he said.</p><p>Singh said there is a need to adopt a consultative approach and take inputs from all the stakeholders on how to face future challenges.</p><p>"Our forces should be equipped and ready according to the changing times," he said emphasising that the civilian workforce, which is an integral part of the armed forces, will play a crucial role in the planning process.</p><p>The defence minister stressed that the military is surging forward with a big mandate and complex structure and the civilian workforce "soldiers without uniforms" play a pivotal role.</p><p>"In the broader perspective of national service, every responsible civilian is a soldier without uniform and every soldier is a civilian in uniform," he said.</p><p>Singh also said that India's economic prosperity is linked to maritime security.</p><p>"It is, therefore, necessary to protect our territorial waters, ensure freedom of navigation, and keep sea routes, which are our maritime highways, safe," he said.</p><p>Singh said major naval powers have reduced their presence in the Indian Ocean region in recent years, while the Indian Navy has increased it.</p><p>"There is a possibility of an increase in threats in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and the sea areas adjacent to East African countries," he said.</p><p>"In view of this, the Indian Navy is working towards increasing its presence further," he added.</p><p>The defence minister described cyber security as an important aspect of maritime security in today's times.</p><p>He said ignoring cyber attacks can prove to be detrimental.</p>