The Hindu : Kerala News : Navy readying for requirements in extended battlefield: Admiral Mehta

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Friday, Nov 24, 2006
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Navy readying for requirements in extended battlefield: Admiral Mehta

Staff Reporter

Need to mount surveillance on islands, he says

KOCHI: The Navy is readying for requirements in the extended battlefield, well beyond the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sureesh Mehta, said.

Addressing mediapersons at the Southern Naval Command here on Thursday, he said that with countries increasing their military presence well off their coast, the role of the Indian Navy in international diplomacy was increasing.

"From operating within 200 miles off the country's coast, our ships now operate across the oceans. Gone are the days when we were focused on Pakistan and China. The Navy now plays a world role. Especially so since the country's economy has been growing at the rate of over eight per cent during the past three years.

``We have been carrying forward the country's foreign policy in keeping with the Centre's `look-East policy'," he said, referring to increased interaction with Navies in Southeast Asia.

Referring to news reports about concerns raised by Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the possibility of uninhabited islands (like in Lakshadweep) located off the coast being turned into launching pads for terrorists, he said there was need to mount increasing surveillance using innovative methodology.

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