Rajnath Singh Hosts IOR+ Defence Ministers’ Conclave On The Sidelines Of Defexpo

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Plus Defence Ministers’ Conclave on the sidelines of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. 

Singh said that we believe in a multi-aligned policy which is realised through engagements with multiple stakeholders. India is willing to work with all the stakeholders to ensure a rules-based maritime order to the benefit of all in the region.

He described Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) as the theme of India’s Indian Ocean Policy and voiced his determination to play a responsible role and contribute to regional and global security.

He also listed out some challenges in the IOR such as the spread of terrorism through sea routes, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy and regional and global food security.

According to him, India is to build the capacities of partner countries by providing ships, maritime aircraft, Coastal Radar and other Surveillance systems, training, access to Indian shipyards and availability of trained manpower for indigenous development of similar capacities.

“The recent commissioning of the first indigenously constructed Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant and induction of the indigenously developed attack helicopter, Prachand are the milestones in our march towards developing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. The Indian aerospace and defence industries present an attractive and significant opportunity for foreign companies to take their cooperation to newer levels. India is ready to supply various types of missile systems, light combat aircraft and helicopters, multi-purpose light transport aircraft, warships and patrol vessels, artillery gun systems, tanks, radars, military vehicles, electronic warfare systems and other weapons systems to friendly IOR countries,” he said.

The second IOR Plus conclave subsumed aspects related to defence industry cooperation, availability of Indian shipyards for refits, voyage repairs, ship design and shipbuilding, access to Indian ports, maritime information-sharing, maritime surveillance and co-operation, HADR, tackling marine pollution, development of technologies and capabilities for harnessing marine, marine aviation resources and others. The conclave was attended by 40 countries while 22 ministers addressed the conference.