Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a significant statement on Monday in Panaji, declaring that the ocean's wealth belongs to all of humanity and cannot be claimed by any single nation. He emphasized India's commitment to fostering peace and stability throughout the vast Indo-Pacific region.
Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) 'Samudra Pratap', Singh outlined a vision of collective stewardship. He firmly stated that marine resources are not the property of any one country but are a shared heritage of humanity. With this shared heritage, he argued, comes a shared duty to protect it. This principle, according to the minister, forms the bedrock of India's stance on the global stage, anchored in peace, stability, and environmental responsibility.
The defence minister pointed to a range of complex maritime challenges that threaten regional harmony. He specifically identified grey-zone threats, including narcotics trafficking, illegal fishing, human trafficking, and environmental violations, as significant dangers to peace.
India as a Responsible Maritime Power
Amid current global uncertainties, Singh positioned India as a 'responsible maritime power'. He stated that the nation consistently proves it is dedicated not only to safeguarding its own interests but also to ensuring the peace and stability of the entire Indo-Pacific. Protecting the marine environment, he added, is both a strategic necessity and a profound moral obligation for the country.
He commended the Indian Coast Guard for its critical work in oil spill response, firefighting, and salvage operations. These capabilities, he noted, place India among a select group of nations with advanced environmental response systems. Singh also issued a strong warning, praising the Coast Guard for instilling such deterrence that any adversary casting an eye toward India's borders would be decisively dealt with.
Boosting Indigenous Capabilities
The newly commissioned ICGS Samudra Pratap is the first of two specialized pollution control vessels built by the state-owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). Singh highlighted that this vessel is a testament to the prowess of Indian shipyards in managing complex manufacturing projects effectively.
The ship is expected to significantly enhance the Coast Guard's ability to control pollution incidents promptly, thereby protecting India's extensive coastline. Looking to the future, the defence minister revealed ongoing efforts to dramatically increase the indigenous content in ships built for the nation. The goal is to raise the level of domestically sourced components and technology to 90%, bolstering self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
