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| Indian Navy takes new initiative | | | New Delhi | Feb 14
Indian Navy, the strongest in the region is now taking steps to strengthen the policing of the nearly 74 million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean, an effort to deal with the new emerging security threats.
Last year 25 warships from five countries participated in ''war games'' in the Bay of Bengal.
Now to police 73.6 million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean Region, the Navy will launch the first ever consultative mechanism on maritime issues, the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
It will have 31 countries including France, Djibouti, Egypt, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.
Its goals include developing common doctrines and operational processes for speedy disaster relief .Strengthening the capability of members to counter maritime security challenges.
The United States too has a similar platform, the Western Naval Pacific Symposium, comprising 21 members to achieve similar goals.However, the Indian Navy says it is not a military alliance.
''IONS is a non-hegemonic consultative mechanism designed to promote cooperation among navies in the Indian Ocean region,'' said Rear Admiral Pradeep Chauhan.
But what does the new step signify.''It is just a sign of growing India. India has one of the strongest navy in the region and it is good that they have taken the lead,'' said Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary.
While several questions remain about the new security structure, one thing is clear - the Indian Navy has taken the lead to deal with new emerging security threats in the Indian Ocean Region. |
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