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Global peace, progress depend on
security of seas, says Narayanan: PTI

The eighth International Fleet Review got off to a spectacular start in Bombay, with President K R Narayanan declaring that the security of seas and oceans were necessary for independence and prosperity of nations as also the world peace.

Complimenting naval ships and submarines from 29 nations, which have gathered for the Fleet Review, he said the exercise was a "magnificent demonstration" by navies of the world to "build bridges of friendship among nations and symbolic of their desire to maintain peace and tranquility".

Narayanan said the Indian Navy, committed to international efforts to counter piracy "in this oceanic region", was co-ordinating efforts with ASEAN and other south-east Asian nations and Japan in this direction.

He said India, from ancient times, had been a sea-faring nation and had a vast coastline of 7516 km, with an exclusive economic zone of over two million square km.

India's trade and commerce and its very existence as an independent nation "depends on the control and safety of the seas around it", he said.

"It is today an indisputable fact that the independence and prosperity of nations and the peace and tranquility of the world hinge on the peace and security of the seas and the oceans", the President said, adding the concept of the "indivisible sea" was now "a political, economic and strategic reality".

Narayanan said the seas and oceans were rich resources of wealth and crucial for the preservation of an environmental and ecological balance. The navies had a role of nurturing the fragile marine eco-system as well as peace in the world.

He said naval craft were "not only a bridge of friendship among nations, but a humanitarian bridge to all people affected by natural calamity".

Stating that some ships had brought in relief material for victims of the devastating earthquake in Gujarat, he said, "I want to express gratitude to the navies which have brought relief material and to all navies participating in this Review for their sentiments of goodwill and sympathy for the people of Gujarat."

Narayanan thanked participating naval ships and congratulated the Indian Navy for marking the historic occasion.

The colourfully dressed foreign vessels with countries' flags flying high, included the French nuclear-powered submarine Perle, the Russian vessel Admiral Vinogradov, Japan's Amagiri, the US' Cowpens and South Africa's Drakensberg.

Inspecting the 150-men guard of honour, followed by a 21-gun salute, Narayanan cast off from south breakwater at 09:30 hours IST and passed through seven columns of ships.

The Presidential column comprising a standby yacht INS Suvarna and minesweepers INS Pondicherry and INS Bhavnagar gently sailed across the seven columns of foreign and Indian ships docked at the anchorage off the Gateway of India.

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