Kovind for sustainable use of seas to meet needs of trade, energy

Visakhapatnam: President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday called for sustainable use of oceans as most of the trade and energy needs are carried out by using the seas.

In his address on the occasion of 12th Presidential Fleet Review off Visakhapatnam on-board President's designated yacht INS Sumitra, said India believes in 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' to focus on cooperative measures for sustainable use of oceans. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Navy Admiral R Hari Kumar, Governor Biswa Bhushan Harichandan and other top dignitaries witnessed the demonstration of three-dimensional power of the Indian Navy. The President said a large part of global trade flows through the Indian Ocean Region. A significant portion of India's trade and energy needs are met through the oceans. Safety of the seas and of the maritime commons, therefore, remains a critical requirement.

"The Indian Navy's constant vigil, prompt response to incidents and untiring efforts have been highly successful in this regard,'' Kovind, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, said after reviewing the naval fleet comprising 60 ships and submarines, and 55 aircraft.

The fleet review, held once in the tenure of the President, has a special significance as the Eastern Naval Command played host to the big event on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India's Independence being celebrated as 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' across the Nation. This beautiful city of Visakhapatnam, also popularly known as Vizag and City of Destiny, has been an important port for centuries. Historically, it has been known as a crucial hub of trans-national trade and commerce. From the sixth century Before Common Era to the 21st century, Vizag continued to be an important centre for industry and economy. Its strategic importance is underlined by the fact that the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy is located here, the President said.

Referring to Vizag's glorious contribution during the 1971 war, he said the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of India's victory in that war, under 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh', concluded recently. "I recall the heroic action of the Eastern Naval Command in the naval blockade of the then East Pakistan and the sinking of Pakistan's submarine 'Ghazi'. That was a decisive blow to Pakistan," he stated in his address. The President said the 1971 war remains one of the most emphatic victories in India's history. He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Navy has been providing aid to friendly nations by supplying medicines and evacuating stranded Indian citizens and foreign nationals in different parts of the world under 'Mission

SAGAR' and 'Samudra Setu'. The prompt and effective deployment of the Indian Navy in the times of crisis has underscored India's vision of being the 'Preferred Security Partner' and 'First Responder' in the Indian Ocean Region.