The Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has long been both the area of responsibility and area of interest for the Indian Navy. However, now there are rival players operating in this region? How do you view the opportunities, challenges and threats in the IOR now?

The gradual increase in presence of extra-regional maritime forces in the IOR is being monitored very closely. As a professional Force, the Indian Navy constantly evaluates the maritime security environment in our areas of interest and caters for any changes by implementing changes in our operational philosophy or capability development plans.

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba speaks to executive editor, FORCE, Ghazala Wahab

Threats and challenges to India’s maritime interests emanate from traditional and non-traditional sources. While addressing the traditional threats, pertaining to state-owned organised military capability will remain the raison d’etre of the navy, non-traditional security threats viz maritime terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), human, arms, drug trafficking etc have necessitated development of a fresh paradigm for maritime security in recent years.

The Indian Navy has consequently embraced a multi-pronged strategy to ensure that our areas of maritime interest remain safe and secure at all times. A potent, balanced and flexible naval force, which maintains persistent presence in vital areas, forms the bedrock of this effort. This force allows the navy to maintain credible deterrence against traditional threats, while enabling prompt and effective response to any non-traditional threat.

India’s rising stature on the global and region