From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:00 PM IST

India has the capability to play an important role not only in the Indian Ocean but also in the emerging maritime world order, Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said Tuesday.

Visualising a much bigger role for the force, Admiral Mehta said the real impetus needs to essentially come from the awakening of the maritime consciousness of the common populace even as some steps have been taken by the navy through soft power projection.

'The rise of an economic power and clout in itself is meaningless without the appropriate dovetailing of military prowess,' he said while addressing the second anniversary of the National Maritime Foundation.

'Similarly the mere rise of military energies without a clear national objective is also meaningless. The harmonious evolution of both these aspects is essential to realise any country's true potential and its claim to a rightful place in the evolving order.'

Mehta said India's strategic environment was evolving rapidly and maritime issues were being taken more seriously than ever before.

'However, the so-called potential to become a cognisable power in the region can only fructify if all associated agencies work towards national maritime objectives in our own little ways with better understanding and complete synergy,' he said.

The Indian Ocean Region (IOR), he said, was the only region where some of the richest countries and some of the fastest growing economies cohabit with some of the poorest countries in the world.

'It is also the de facto home of global terrorism, with many regional states covertly or even inadvertently aiding and abetting subversive elements. It is also the locus of 70 percent of the world's natural disasters.'

Maritime capacity building continues to be difficult for smaller littorals in the IOR, keeping in mind that their sovereignty is sacrosanct.

'Given our experience in building bridges with these littorals we expect them to not only look up to India for help and support in overcoming their maritime challenges, but also to safeguard common and mutual maritime interests in many ways.'

(Staff Writer, © IANS)