Published By Directorate of Public Relations Ministry of Defence February 4, 2021 “Future of Indian Ocean Region Nations Depend on Tackling Emerging Challenges and Opportunities” Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at IOR Conclave PM MODI’S “FIVE S” VISION KEY TO INDIA’S APPROACH TO TACKLE GLOBAL • Indian Ocean Region (IOR) CHALLENGES Defence Ministers’ Conclave • Building collective Maritime Competence towards SAGAR • Special Interview Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Chairman DRDO • Building Partnersip • Ruling The Skies • BEL Driving Innovation • Seminars • Gujarat Pitches In • Airborne Early Warning and Control System - Netra he Indian Ocean Region 7500 Kms, India has an active • HAL gets RFP from IAF (IOR) Defence Ministers’ role to play for peaceful and • iDEX - Start Up Manthan Conclave began with a prosperous co-existence of all • Social Media Buzz Feed keynote address from countries. Shri Rajnath Singh TRaksha Mantri Shri Rajnath stressed that the Indian Ocean is Singh on 4th February on the a shared asset and a lifeline to sidelines of Aero India 2021 in international trade and transport Bengaluru. Several Defence due to its control of major sea- Ministers, Ambassadors, High lanes carrying half of the world’s Commissioners and senior container ships, one third of the officials from IOR countries have world’s bulk cargo traffic and attended the event physically or two thirds of the world’s oil in virtual mode. Outlining the shipments. agenda, Raksha Mantri said that Shri Rajnath Singh said as the largest nation in the IOR SAGAR - Security and Growth region with a vast coast line of for All in the Region is the theme DAILY | FEBRUARY 2, 2021 | 1 For Complete News, Log on to https://aeroindia.gov.in Raksha Mantri identified maritime resources as the key to sustained growth and development of IOR nations in the 21st century. He said that the negative impact of conflicting claims in some maritime areas of the world highlighted the need to ensure peace in the IOR region. He added that IOR countries have demonstrated mutual respect for a rules-based order and commitment to abide by international law. Raksha Mantri spoke of the various policy initiatives of the government to promote trade and tourism among IOR countries through sea link Sagarmala, Project Mausam, and Asia Africa Growth Corridor etc. He emphasized the need to take economic, trade, naval cooperation and of Indian Ocean Policy as outlined by Prime Minister collaboration further in the region. He said that the Shri Narendra Modi in 2015. He added that in line linked futures of IOR countries depend on how they with this the IOR conclave should focus on security, tackle emerging challenges and leverage commerce, connectivity, fight against terrorism and opportunities. inter cultural exchanges. Raksha Mantri identified Referring to India’s growing Aerospace & areas such as deepening economic and security Defence sector and its emergence as a global R&D cooperation in the littorals, enhancing capacities to hub with one of the world’s largest start up safeguard land and maritime territories, working ecosystems, Raksha Mantri said IOR countries can towards sustainable regional development, Blue leverage these sectors for mutual benefit. He said Economy, including sustainable and regulated the recent order from the Indian Air Force to buy 83 fishing, and promoting collective action to deal with Light Combat Aircraft Mk-1A from Hindustan non-traditional threats like natural disasters, piracy, Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is a milestone in India’s terrorism , illegal, unreported and unregulated indigenization of defence manufacturing (IUU) fishing etc. as inter-related elements of capabilities. Shri Rajnath Singh added that India is SAGAR. He said IOR faces a number of challenges ready to supply various types of weapons systems to such as piracy, smuggling of drugs/people and IOR countries. Shri Rajnath Singh said that in arms, humanitarian and disaster relief, and Search consonance with the Prime Minister Narendra & Rescue (SAR) which can be met through maritime Modi’s vision of SAGAR, Neighbourhood First and co-operation. Act East Policies, India has adopted a cooperative DAILY | FEBRUARY 2, 2021 | 2 For Complete News, Log on to https://aeroindia.gov.in approach through capacity building assistance in partner countries. This was reflected in India’s supply of Indian made ships, maritime aircraft and setting-up of Coastal Surveillance Radar Systems, he said. Raksha Mantri said India was developing a comprehensive Maritime Domain Awareness picture in the IOR, which has resulted in signing of Technical Agreements for sharing of ‘White Shipping Information’. He added that Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Non- combatant Evacuation (NEO), and Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations are IOR region attended the conclave either physically important and highlighted India’s swift response or in virtual mode. In his closing remarks, Shri during the cyclones in Mozambique and Rajnath Singh said the enthusiastic participation Madagascar and reaching out to countries through was a symbol of the collective desire of the nations medical teams, medicines such as of the IOR region to work together. He applauded hydroxychloroquine, Remdesivir and paracetamol the dynamism, ideas and conviction for a brighter tablets, diagnostic kits, ventilators, masks, gloves future displayed at the conclave. Highlighting the and other medical supplies through Operation- global geopolitical and commercial significance of Sagar-I during COVID times. He further said that the Indian ocean, he said 75 per cent of global Op-SAGAR-II saw over 300 metric tons of trade and 50 per cent of daily global transfers humanitarian aid being delivered to 4 nations in already pass through the region. He further said the the IOR. deployment of ships by the Indian Navy and the Shri Rajnath Singh said vaccine Indian Coast guard for maritime security and anti- supplies under grant assistance to Bhutan, piracy operations had been successful in minimising Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and threats to commercial shipping. Seychelles have already highlighted India’s Shri Rajnath Singh said the conclave commitment to protect humanity from COVID-19. showcased what the IOR nations were capable of He said that India was conducting training achieving in terms of trade, security and facilitation, programmes for immunization managers, cold fighting non-traditional threats, promoting chain officers, communication officers and data uninterrupted access to the open seas. He managers of the recipient countries before delivery emphasised that easy uninterrupted access to the of the vaccines. He highlighted development of open seas and respect for the international law was effective response mechanism to humanitarian crisis essential for stability and security in the region. and natural disasters in the IOR region as one of Raksha Mantri ended his address by saying that he the most visible element of India’s Indian Ocean hoped that ideas germinated at the conclave would strategy. lead to sustainable action and partnerships. Raksha Mantri said India’s approach and Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar delivered vision to tackle global challenges was highlighted the welcome address at the conclave. Chief of by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s dynamic Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval five ‘S’ vision - Samman (Respect), Samvaad Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Army Staff (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation), Shanti (Peace) General M M Naravane and Secretary (Defence and Samriddhi (Prosperity). Production) Shri Raj Kumar were also present. 26 out of 28 countries from the DAILY | FEBRUARY 2, 2021 | 3 IOR SEMINAR For Complete News, Log on to INDIAN NAVY https://aeroindia.gov.in BUILDING COLLECTIVE MARITIME COMPETENCE TOWARDS SECURITY AND GROWTH FOR ALL IN THE REGION (SAGAR) India, due to its geostrategic location in IOR, quintessential maritime character, historical and cultural ties with the littoral states, considers it obligatory to keep the maritime neighbourhood safe and secure, through unity and togetherness, against menace originating from the maritime domain. We believe that, in unity lies our strength. In recent years, India has taken a number of initiatives driven by the need for ‘collective growth’ in the region, which has included our initiatives of ‘Look East’ policy of the late nineties to the more recent ‘Act East’ policy and our maritime initiatives of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). All these initiatives have underscored the need for a ‘Whole of Government’ approach to dmiral Karambir Singh PVSM, AVSM, strengthen relations in the IOR in a mutually ADC, Chief of Naval Staff delivered the supportive and cooperative manner and we have Welcome Remarks. Shri Rajnath Singh, identified shared concerns from our partner A Honourable Raksha Mantri, delivered the countries. These concerns, necessitate that our Keynote Address. Quoting historic wisdom from our response must be synchronised and coordinated, to scriptures, he said “ऐक्यं बलं समाजस्य, तद्भावे सः दुबबलः ”, accomplish a common goal. which clearly enunciates that, ‘Unity is Strength of Indian Navy has sustained its prominence as the any Society, and a Society is weak without it’, the ‘First Responder’ in the IOR during natural disasters RM lauded the topic of the seminar as chosen by the and also during the testing times of COVID. Indian Navy, which delves into building collective ‘Mission Sagar’ was aimed at providing medical and