?Indian Ocean is int'l terror hub?

Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Tuesday said the Indian Ocean region had become the 'de facto home of global terrorism', with many regional states covertly or even inadvertently aiding and abetting subversive elements.

Mehta was speaking at a seminar titled 'Freedom of the Seas', which was organised to mark the second anniversary of the National Maritime Foundation.

He said India’s strategic environment was rapidly evolving and that maritime issues were 'fortunately' being taken more seriously than before.

But the navy chief was quick to add that lots more needed to be done for India to become a cognizable power in the region. “The so-called potential to become a cognizable power in the region can only fructify if all associated agencies work towards national maritime objectives in their own little ways with better understanding and complete synergy,” Admiral Mehta said.

“Awakening the maritime consciousness of the common populace is the need of the hour,” he added.

Admiral Mehta also said the rise of economic power was meaningless without the appropriate dovetailing of military prowess.

Similarly, “the mere rise of military energies without a clear national objective” was also insignificant. The harmonious evolution of both these aspects is essential to realise any country’s true potential and its claim to a rightful place in the evolving order.”

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