Mumbai, Dec 24: President Pratibha Patil today praised the Navy for the efforts it has made to enhance coastal security. She was in Mumbai for a function to commemorate 50 years of service of INS Viraat, the Navy’s only aircraft carrier.
Patil described last year’s terror attacks as a “grim reminder of the harm that can be perpetuated through the use of the sea route by elements inimical to India”. “I am aware of the numerous measures that have been initiated to enhance coastal security.
The Indian Navy and other stakeholders in the maritime domain are playing a proactive role to bring about synergy and establish standard operating procedures to prevent the re-occurrence of such an incident,” she said.
Stressing the government’s commitment to modernisation for the Navy, she mentioned the increase in indigenous naval projects and added various new ships and submarines are due soon, with the launch of the Arihant in July this year as an important milestone.
Patil also launched a coffee table book on INS Viraat. Commissioned as HMS Hermes on November 18, 1959 as an ‘ultra modern strike carrier’, the vessel was acquired by the Indian Government in the 1980s and formally commissioned as INS Viraat on May 12, 1987, making it the only aircraft carrier with any Asian naval fleet.
Patil also spoke of growing piracy in the Gulf of Aden. “The presence of our warships in the area has instilled a sense of confidence in the shipping industry,” she said.
–Agencies