Karwar, April 5: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday reviewed the maritime security situation and the Indian Navy’s operational preparedness during the first phase of the Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025, held at Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka.
Addressing top naval commanders, Singh underscored India’s critical role in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, calling the 21st century “Asia’s century.” He stressed that India stands for a free, open, and rules-based international order, in line with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Security is a continuous adaptation process. We must assess the changing circumstances and plan, resource, and exercise accordingly,” the minister told the commanders. He lauded the Navy’s contribution to national security and their consistent performance under dynamic challenges.
The Defence Minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and other senior officials. The ongoing conference serves as a platform to discuss strategic, operational, and administrative matters to boost the Navy’s combat capabilities.
Highlighting India’s commitment to strengthening naval power, Singh noted that the pace of naval modernization in the last decade has been unprecedented. “The induction of new platforms and advanced equipment has not only enhanced our maritime strength but also boosted the morale of our sailors,” he said.
He called on commanders to take forward the Government’s reform agenda, declaring 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ for the Ministry of Defence. “Ground-level reforms in training, R&D, finances, and manpower must align with policy changes. Convergence of top-down and bottom-up approaches is essential to achieve desired outcomes,” he added.
The conference, held biannually, plays a crucial role in reinforcing India’s position as the ‘Preferred Security Partner’ in the Indian Ocean Region. The second phase of the event will be held in New Delhi from April 7 to 10, where the Navy will engage with the Chiefs of the Army and Air Force, along with senior diplomats like Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.
The event also highlights the Navy’s focus on modernisation, indigenisation, and self-reliance in line with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.