Navy to safeguard Indian Ocean islands: Antony

Charting out a larger role for the Indian Navy, Defence Minister A K Antony has said that the maritime force has been mandated to be a net security provider for island nations in the Indian Ocean region and is a “potent and stabilising force” in the region.
Emphasising that India’s economic growth is “inextricably linked to the seas”, Antony said that major international shipping lanes are located along its island territories, giving the responsibility of security in the region to the Navy.
“The Indian Navy has been mandated to be a net security provider to island nations in the Indian Ocean region. We would like to assure our maritime neighbours about our unstinted support for their security and economic prosperity,” Antony said in his address at the Naval Commanders Conference in the capital today.
“The quantum of trade passing through international shipping lanes is vast. Peace and unhindered safety of our maritime trade and that of our vessels is one of our primary concerns,” he said.

-  Indian Express