Parrikar Seeks Formation Of Necklace Group Among Indian Ocean RIM To Ensure Coastal Security, Strong Economy
22 march, Bhubaneswar (odibizinfo)
Advocating a larger role for India in the Indian Ocean Rim , Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Sunday mooted the idea of setting up small necklace group among the allied nations to share data , information for safety and security particularly on maritime trade.
Parrikar after addressing the international conference in Bhubaneswar on India and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) told newsmen that India’s position was very crucial in the region.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Look East and Act East policy, Parrikar said that Indian Ocean region will be vital in India’s foreign policy initiative.
He said that India was building good relations with its neighbours and at the same time increasing its strength.
“I believe that I should have very good, strong relations with my neighbours and I am already exchanging a lot of joint exercises, discussions and training with neighbouring countries,” Parrikar said.
Stating that India was planning to export defence material to other countries, he said “at least 38 countries are sending their defence personnel for training in India. We are encouraging them. We are giving them more slots. We are also considering supplying some sort of defence materials through export or through line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defence,” he said.
Parrikar said India also believes that the best defence was in being strong. India’s strength lies in non-violence, he said adding weak nations can not pursue non-violence and peace only strong nation can dictate peace.
“No one bothers about the weak, everyone takes the strong into consideration. We will build our position of strength and for which, as defence minister, we are initiating various action plans for creating a better or a higher moral security force,” he said.
Parrikar, however, said the target of the nation was to build a position of togetherness on friendship, not by threat.
Parrikar urged the creation of a group of IOR countries which will deal with the traditional and non-traditional issues.
The minister said India was a country which will reach out to any neighbouring country to strengthen their coastal security and make their economy stronger.
About the proposal from the Odisha government on a Kalinga regiment, he said: “You cannot raise a regiment by caste or region. But we can help in some presence in the state.
“I would ensure that defence presence will be felt more in Odisha so that you can get more people trained, get more people in the army, employment and more production.”