'Power Play In Indian Ocean': Rajnath Singh Pushes For Strong Maritime Preparedness

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 16:33 IST

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted power play dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region and called for stronger maritime preparedness to face security challenges.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. (ANI)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India needs to keep its maritime preparedness strong due to security challenges from the eastern side of the country and the “power play" dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

While speaking at the commissioning of two stealth frigates at the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy in Andhra Pradesh, Singh said, “When we look towards the eastern side, we see similar security challenges there as well."

“The power play unfolding in the Indian Ocean repeatedly alerts us. The interests of many countries clash here, and for this reason, we too need to keep our maritime preparedness strong," he added.

“If we talk about the western region of India, we see various types of naval activities in the area from the Arabian Sea to the Middle East, and the Eastern Africa seaboard. The geo-strategic situation here is such that it has the capacity to directly impact our economic development."

The Defence Minister said India’s energy requirements, like oil and natural gas, largely depend on the security of the Indian Ocean Region, adding that the role of the Navy was not limited to just patrolling in the seas, but as a major pillar of India’s national economic security.

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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Location :

Visakhapatnam, India, India

First Published:

August 26, 2025, 16:33 IST

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