39 ships under construction at Indian shipyards
India needs to create a stable and secure environment to sustain and growth its Blue Economy for the greater good of national, regional and global interests, Admiral G Ashok Kumar, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy, has stressed.
Addressing the valedictory session ‘Securing the Blue Economy’, organized by FICCI, Adm Kumar said, “A Blue Economy needs a stable and secure environment to sustain and grow.”
“This is enabled through an effective maritime security. With growing maritime interests, growth of our Navy is inevitable. The blue economy and maritime security are deeply intertwined and mutually dependent on each other. We will be successful in moving ahead in a cohesive and a coordinated manner with a clear-eyed focus on the greater good at the national regional and global level,” he told the symposium’s valedictory session on 23 Apr 2021.
Speaking on the IN’s capability building efforts, Vice Chief of Naval Staff said that they have been a major contributor towards growth of the shipbuilding industry in the country. “Right from inception, the Indian Navy has been deeply committed towards building its platform indigenously.
As on date, 39 of the 41 ships under construction are in Indian shipyards. The plough back effect towards the economy, skilling of our population in the field of ship construction, creation of jobs for axillary industries are all bound to be of positive support to the broader Blue Economic initiatives of the nation,” he said.
Adm R K Dhowan, (Retd), Founder and Chairperson, SAMDeS Former CNS, Indian Navy & Chairman, National Maritime Foundation, pointed out that India is essentially a maritime nation with vast maritime interests.
“These maritime interests are enablers of our Blue Economy and have a vital relationship with nation’s economic growth. In the past few years, there have been a series of initiatives for the sustainable development in the maritime domain, including the quest to harness the Blue Economy,” he said.
Adm Dhowan further added, “There is a need to chart out a Blue Economy action plan at the national level for the sustainable development for our maritime interests.
“We need to adopt a more integrated approach in the maritime sector and, therefore, we need to have an apex level organisation to coordinate the planning processes of the various agencies and departments that operate in the maritime domain.
“We need to incorporate marine spatial planning so that we can optimally map our coastal areas, carry out development of our ports and harbours in a systematic manner,” he added.
There is an enthusiasm about the growth of the Blue Economy, especially in the context of the nation, added S P Shukla, Chairman, FICCI Defence and Aerospace Committee, President (Def, Aero, Agri and Steel), Member of the Group, Executive Board, Mahindra Group.
“Our thrust area is for a policy to enhance the contribution of the Blue Economy to India’s GDP; improve lives of coastal communities; preserve marine biodiversity and maintain the national security of our maritime zones.
“The government, multiple ministries, the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and the Indian industry will need to come together for India to emerge as a leading blue economy of the world,” he stressed.
FICCI has pioneered outreach and policy response towards the Blue Economy. “FICCI, with its task force on Blue Economy, will continue to strive towards reaching to the potential of this sector,” assured Dilip Chenoy, Secretary General, FICCI. #economy #manufacturing #security #investment /fiinews.com
