At 1st MAMSG meet Doval calls for synergy among stakeholders for maritime security
As China asserts itself in the Indian Ocean, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Thursday cautioned that the region is becoming “competitive” and the country has to protect its interests. He also called for synergy among all the stakeholders responsible for maritime security.
Making these observations at the first meeting of the Multi Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG) here, Doval said, “In the changing geopolitical scenario, the Indian Ocean, which has been an ocean of peace, is gradually becoming competitive. We see a potential of having a clash of interest, we need to protect it and be vigilant,” he said. The NSA refrained from naming China
Describing the Indian Ocean as a “great asset” for the country, Doval said the country’s vulnerabilities are directly proportional to its assets and that India’s responsibility as a premier maritime power is extremely important.
“The more we develop, the more assets we create, the more prosperous we get, greater would be the vulnerability and the need for security in the maritime domain,” he said. Underlining these key factors, Doval called for seamless coordination among various agencies involved in protecting India’s maritime interests, saying it will not be able to become the power it deserves to be in absence of a very strong maritime security apparatus.
Addressing the top maritime and coastal security brass from all 13 coastal states and Union Territories as well Indian Navy and other central agencies, Doval said security at the high seas and economic well-being is inextricably linked and all stakeholders must work unitedly.
“The trajectory of this nation is well defined. We know where we are going. And when our time comes...We as a nation have to be strong. India will not be able to become the power it deserves to be unless it has a very strong maritime system,” Doval said.
The meeting was chaired by Vice-Admiral (Retired) G Ashok Kumar, the country’s first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC), a post created to ensure coordination among various agencies responsible for overall maritime security matrix. Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar was among the top officials who attended the deliberations.