Navy effectively protects maritime interests of India: Rajnath

have facilitated enhanced Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), provided swift Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the Indian Ocean Region littorals and security to the international maritime community.

On the dynamic changes taking place in the armed forces, the Minister highlighted the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff and Department of Military Affairs as major milestones in bringing more synergy amongst the three services, especially in training, procurement and staffing and bringing jointness in operations.

He also said accepting the challenges arising out of the Covid-19 situation, the Indian Navy has continued to progress the operational, administrative and modernisation efforts. Notwithstanding these fiscal challenges, the government has invoked the Emergency Powers to meet the emergent requirements of the services, he added.

On Indian Navy's proven commitment towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in consonance with the 'Make in India' initiative, Rajnath Singh appreciated that the Navy has been at the forefront of the indigenisation process.

Stressing that it is important that pace be kept with the successes which have been achieved so far, he said that the recently-inaugurated Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organization (NIIO) is one such step.

( With inputs from IANS )