VP Dhankar calls for unity to address maritime challenges

Visakhapatnam: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Thursday said MILAN 2024 aims to strengthen global cooperation and maritime security - an ever evolving challenge and underscored the importance of its objective to foster interoperability and understanding between participating navies.

Addressing as chief guest at the International Maritime Seminar here conducted as part of the mega multilateral exercise in the Bay of Bengal, he said this august assemblage of domain experts served as a testament to the shared commitment of nations towards ensuring the much needed maritime safety and security. He said the Indian Navy has been instrumental in fostering regional cooperation through initiatives like MILAN, providing a meaningful platform for navies from around the world to be on the same page, share experiences and nurture enduring partnerships.

The seminar was a pivotal component of MILAN, and proved to be a platform for collaboration, synergy and growth among nations across oceans. Chief of Naval Staff of Indian Navy Admiral R Hari Kumar, the naval chiefs of friendly foreign countries, senior dignitaries and delegates including Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior naval officials were present.

Speaking at the seminar themed ‘Partners across oceans: Collaboration, synergy, growth,’ the seminar featured an illuminating array of presentations and discussions. Papers presented by speakers from 12 nations delved into critical areas such as economic growth, maritime security, capacity building, climate change mitigation, blue economy initiatives and sustainable development of maritime infrastructure, a spokesperson for Eastern Naval Command, the local host for the mega event, said. In his speech, the Vice President said, “In recent years, we have seen formidable security challenges in the maritime domain and these have acquired new, menacing dimensions having potential to endanger peace, not to speak of unsettling supply chains. If you unsettle supply chains, the impact is geometric, cascading on the lives of ordinary people and therefore it is according to me a prime obligation of people here to find a sustainable way out so that supply chains are kept intact.”