India works with spirit of development, not expansionism: PM Modi

According to the PM, India has always supported an open, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.

Mumbai: India operates with a spirit of development, not expansionism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said adding that because of the giant strides made across various fields, the country is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner globally.

Stressing on the importance of enhancing and modernising India's military capabilities in the 21st century, Modi said, “Be it land, water, air, the deep sea or infinite space, India is safeguarding its interests everywhere”.

“India is emerging as a major maritime power in the world…India has emerged as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region,” Modi said as he dedicated three frontline naval combatants - two frontline ships INS Surat and INS Nilgiri and submarine INS Vaghsheer to the nation on their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

“It is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate and submarine was being done”, he said acknowledging the adoption of Atma Nirbharta (self-reliance) by India's armed forces over the past decade.

“India is today recognised as a reliable and responsible partner globally, especially in the Global South,” said Modi, adding that India has always supported an open, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.

He pointed out that when it came to the development of coastal nations, India introduced the mantra of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) and advanced with this vision.

Highlighting India's leadership during its G20 presidency, promoting the mantra of "One Earth, One Family, One Future", Modi also mentioned India's vision of "One Earth, One Health" during the global fight against Covid-19, underscoring the nation's belief in treating the world as one family and its commitment to inclusive development. 

Modi asserted that India considers the defense and security of the entire region as its responsibility.

Emphasising the significant role of maritime nations like India in shaping global security, economics, and geopolitical dynamics, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of protecting territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation, and securing trade supply lines and sea routes for economic progress and energy security. 

Modi stressed on the need to safeguard the region from terrorism, arms, and drug trafficking. 

Modi also stressed the importance of becoming global partners in making the seas safe and prosperous, enhancing logistics efficiency, and supporting the shipping industry. He further highlighted the need to prevent the misuse of ocean resources like rare minerals and fish stocks and to develop the capacity to manage them. 

He also highlighted the need to prevent the misuse of ocean resources like rare minerals and fish stocks and to develop the capacity to manage them.

The Prime Minister highlighted the strengthening of India's economic cooperation with ASEAN, Australia, Gulf countries, and African nations, attributing this to India's presence and capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. He emphasised the dual importance of today's event from both military and economic perspectives.

He remarked on the continuous reforms being undertaken, including the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff. "India is progressing towards the implementation of theatre commands to make the armed forces more efficient," he said.