RAKSHA MANTRI ADDRESSES THE NAVAL
SENIOR OFFICERS' CONFERENCE
Addressing the Naval
Senior Officers’ Conference here today, the Defence Minister Shri
George Fernandes stated that our Prime Minister has once again
taken the lead to restart the peace process with Pakistan through
dialogue and we shall make all possible efforts to make it a success.
However, the problem of terrorism is likely to persist and we
should be prepared to deal with it effectively.
The Minister mentioned
that the Navy has to play an all-important role in times to come
and the country at large needs to be made aware of its role, importance
and requirements to meet the challenges, which lie ahead of them.
While stating that he was aware of the shortage of platforms required
to fulfil its responsibility, he said that the government is committed
to providing all assistance, budgetary or otherwise, to tide over
this problem. He lauded Navy’s state of preparedness during OP
PARAKRAM and said that even though she did not engage in active
combat, it produced the desired deterrent effect.
Shri Fernandes said
that our Navy is getting international acclaim, which is borne
out by the fact that a number of countries have requested to carry
out joint exercises with them. He expressed that these that joint
interactions are mutually beneficial and steps should be taken
to increase their frequency. He hoped to commence joint exercises
with China in the near future. He also expressed happiness on
the progress of Project SEABIRD at Karwar and the NAVAL
ACADEMY project at Ezhimala and brought out they are likely
to be completed ahead of schedule.
Concluding his address,
the Minister complimented the Naval Commanders for an excellent
work in the field despite the constraints and hoped that other
countrymen show similar zeal and commitment.
