Synergy among armed forces must, says Rajnath
In a projection of India’s growing maritime power, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday addressed the top naval commanders onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya in the Arabian Sea and witnessed a mega wargame amid China’s increasing military assertiveness in the Indian Ocean region.
Mr. Singh also witnessed the combat prowess of aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in a “twincarrier” operation that the Navy said was a demonstration of a “powerful testament” to the crucial role of seabased air power in maintaining maritime superiority.
In his address to the commanders, the Defence Minister said jointness and synergy among the armed forces is crucial in today’s everchanging geopolitical scenario even as he lauded the Navy for continuously emerging in a leadership role in the Indian Ocean region with its increasing multidimensional capabilities.
Mr. Singh highlighted the Navy’s important role in maritime security and maintaining India’s sovereignty and urged the commanders to remain prepared to deal with all kinds of challenges while assur
Rajnath Singh aboard INS Vikramaditya Naval Commanders’ Conference 2024 on Tuesday.
ing the government’s allpossible support. The wargame in the Arabian Sea also came against the backdrop of increasing global concerns over Houthi militants targeting various cargo ships in the Red Sea and adjoining areas in the last few months.
In March last year, Mr. Singh attended the inaugural session of the naval commanders conference onboard INS Vikrant.
“If India’s reputation has increased in the Indian Ocean Region and wider IndoPacific, it is due to the bravery and promptness of our Navy,” he said.
“It has become synonymous with credibility in the IndoPacific region. The Navy is a reflection of India’s growing stature on the global canvas,” he said.
The defence minister underscored the importance of jointness and synergy of the three services amidst the constantlyevolving geopolitical scenario including increasing use of drones in modernday warfare.
Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said the “twincarrier” demonstration served as a “powerful testament” to the crucial role of seabased air power in maintaining maritime superiority.
In remarks at the commanders’ conference, the defence minister commended the Navy for increasing its multidimensional capabilities in the Indian Ocean region and continuously emerging in a leadership role.