Indian Navy Chief Sees Aspiring Maritime Power Amid India’s Focus On Seas

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar said on Thursday that he sees “signs of an aspiring maritime power” as the country looks to the seas again for economic growth.

The National Maritime Foundation (NMF) held an event here, and Admiral Kumar spoke at it. He said that the NMF had made a “substantial contribution” to making the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022 official, which is something that is rarely acknowledged.

“As we try to figure out how to deal with the growing complexity in the region, which is marked by ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and the appearance of new, non-traditional threats, we need a better understanding of how geopolitics are changing and how to plan to deal with these problems,” he said. “This makes the NMF’s role even more important today.”

Notably, the NMF and the Navy worked together to create the important Indian Maritime Security Strategy (IMSS), which came out in 2015. He said that the paper “continues to guide the Navy’s efforts in protecting, preserving, promoting, and pursuing our national interests in the maritime domain.”

The foundation’s contributions to this strategy document show how well it understands maritime problems and is committed to coming up with good solutions, the Navy chief said.

He was giving the opening speech at the Vice Admiral K. K. Nayyar Memorial Lecture.

Admiral Kumar said that the NMF has made a big difference, even in making the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022 official, which is not often acknowledged.

He said that the law gave the Indian Navy a boost and emphasized the mission to fight pirates.

“We need to learn more about how important the seas are, not just as a way to trade but also as a strategic area that affects our economy, security, and the environment.” “This calls for increasing maritime awareness and then raising consciousness, supporting maritime research, and promoting careers related to the sea,” Admiral Kumar said.

„We have a unique maritime environment […]. The present time is right to remember and stress the importance of naval power in her rise and continued importance. “Prehistoric Bharat was wealthy because of the seas, which were the way that culture, communication, and trade happened,” he said.

In his speech, Admiral Kumar praised India’s maritime power from the time of the Mauryas and Guptas to the Cholas and Marathas.

“The Chola kingdom and its maritime activities were a great example of the maritime virtuous cycle, which is the relationship between maritime trade and naval strength that works well together and is a feature of modern maritime powers.” We saw that happen with the European countries first, then the US, and finally China. “Now I feel it’s our turn,” he said.

“So, as Bharat looks to the seas again… for economic growth, I see the signs of a rising maritime power,” he said.

Vice Admiral Nayyar wanted to restore India’s maritime privacy, and the Navy chief said that it is now “our collective responsibility” to build on his work, encourage maritime thinking, and make sure that “India continues to ride the waves” with unwavering zeal and elan.

“The Navy is changing itself…” ‘Ghulami ki mansikta se mukti’ or ‘Virasat pe garv’… There is criticism from many places, but things are changing quickly. It’s also getting faster. The man said, “We want to know what’s going on in our country.”

“We are taking advantage of the youth dividend.” Our goal is to have a fully independent Navy by 2047. This is also known as a “post-modern Navy,” as Geoffrey Till calls it in his book Sea Power. “2047 is a long way off, and I think we might reach that goal before then,” Admiral Kumar said.

The NMF was the country’s first marine think tank, and it has grown quickly in size and power. It works on a wide range of topics that make up maritime power as a whole, he said.