Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described India as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the Indian Ocean Region, asserting that the country’s growing maritime presence and responsibilities require stronger surveillance and response mechanisms.
Addressing the second edition of the Indian Navy’s biannual Commanders’ Conference 2026 at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi, Singh said India’s strategic position and responsibilities in the region were growing amid an increasingly complex maritime environment.
“India stands firm as the First Responder, Preferred Security Partner and as a symbol of trust and reliability in the Indian Ocean Region and the entire world is witnessing the growth of both our strategic position and our strategic responsibility in the region,” he said.
He pointed to the growing complexity of the maritime domain, citing congestion, deception and “gray-zone” activities, and called for India’s monitoring and response mechanisms to be strengthened.
Indian Navy demonstrates blue-water capability
Singh highlighted the deployment of Indian warships beyond the Indian Ocean, including in the South China Sea, Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean, saying these deployments demonstrate the Indian Navy’s blue-water force capability.
He said the Navy has a crucial role in providing strategic depth and regional power projection.
Highlighting the government’s focus on naval modernisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh described the Indian Navy as a strategic anchor in the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
“Beyond merely guarding maritime boundaries, our Navy strengthens economic protection, regional stability, and power projection,” he said, urging the Navy to maintain its momentum and evolve into a future-ready, combat-ready and globally respected force.
Maritime security linked to energy security
Singh also praised the Navy’s role during the crisis in West Asia, particularly its efforts to ensure the safe transit of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, including LPG tankers, through the Strait of Hormuz under Operation Urja Suraksha.
He noted that India imports approximately 85–90 per cent of its crude oil and around 50 per cent of its natural gas through maritime routes. The security of sea lanes, therefore, is directly linked to India’s economy, energy supplies and defence preparedness, he said.
Over 75% indigenous content in recently commissioned warships
The Defence Minister underlined the Navy’s contribution to India’s drive for self-reliance in defence production, saying the country’s warship production ecosystem was now meeting global benchmarks.
He said recently commissioned warships contain more than 75 per cent indigenous content.
“In the times ahead, we must not only meet our own requirements but also export our warships to friendly foreign nations,” Singh said.
He also called for a significant upgrade of India’s maritime surveillance architecture. While acknowledging the importance of existing systems, he said the growing volume and complexity of maritime traffic required enhanced analytical capabilities.
18 warships planned for induction in 2026
Singh described 2026 as a historic year for the Indian Navy, with plans for the induction or commissioning of 18 warships during the year.
The Defence Minister said this would constitute the largest single-year force accretion in the Navy’s history. He said the developments reflected the growing maturity of India’s domestic naval shipbuilding ecosystem while stressing the need for further capability enhancement.
Women officers take on frontline roles
The Defence Minister also commended the Navy’s efforts towards women’s empowerment, recruitment and innovation under the “All Ranks, All Roles” approach.
He highlighted the deployment of women officers on frontline warships and aircraft and praised their participation in naval navigational expeditions, including the Navika Sagar Parikrama voyage.
India assumes command of CTF-154
Singh congratulated the Navy on assuming command of Combined Task Force-154 (CTF-154) under the Combined Maritime Forces, describing it as an important contribution to regional cooperative security.
He also highlighted Operation Southern Readiness, conducted in Kochi during India’s command tenure of CTF-154. The operation involved 276 personnel from 27 countries, along with 76 facilitators and subject-matter experts and representatives from four international organisations.
The Defence Minister also commended the deployment of INS Sudarshini for Lokayan-26, saying it strengthened India’s maritime diplomacy and engagement with the Indian diaspora across the United States, Atlantic and Mediterranean regions while showcasing the country’s maritime heritage.
Navy Commanders’ Conference to review preparedness
Concluding his address, Singh commended the Indian Navy for maintaining a high level of combat readiness and fulfilling its commitments across the region despite evolving challenges.
He said India’s maritime power was aimed not merely at displaying the national flag at sea, but at ensuring that wherever the Tricolour is seen, it conveys security, trust and confidence.
“If the seas are secure, India will be secure; and if India is secure, the resolve for a Viksit Bharat will be further strengthened,” he said.
Singh also interacted with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of the Army Staff during the conference.
The three-day apex-level Indian Navy Commanders’ Conference is being held from September 29 to October 1, 2026, bringing together the Navy’s top leadership to review operational preparedness, maritime security and future capability development.
