India’s offensive & defensive responses need to be further strengthened in view of turmoil: Rajnath Singh

India’s offensive and defensive responses need to be further strengthened in view of turmoil in rules-based international order, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said, adding that india’s economic prosperity is linked to maritime security in Indian Ocean Region, protecting territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping sea routes safe.

Addressing an event to commemorate 2024 as the Year of Naval Civilians, the minister said that cyber security is an important aspect of maritime security and ignoring cyber security concerns can lead to fatal consequences.

The minister highlighted increasing complexities for the Armed Forces due to the tense geopolitical security scenario and pitched for an increase in critical capability of the country at the earliest.

“If we assess the entire decade from a defence and security perspective, we can say that it has been a volatile decade. We are witnessing conflicts and wars in different regions across the world. Keeping these things in mind, we need planning, resourcing and budgeting for our security. Our forces should be equipped and ready according to the changing times,” he said.

He also emphasized on the need to enhance maritime power. “India’s economic prosperity is linked to maritime security. It is, therefore, necessary to protect our territorial waters, ensure freedom of navigation, and keep sea routes, which are our maritime highways, safe,” he said.

The minister added that in recent years, major naval powers have reduced their presence in IOR, while the Indian Navy has increased it. He also laid stress on the need to run a special awareness campaign on cyber security in the Armed Forces.