Navy will become aatmanirbhar by 2047, says Chief of Naval Staff

“The aspirational growth of India is based on an export-based economy. That is where the Indian Navy comes into the picture. We are intrinsically connected to the sea and are committed to protecting India’s maritime trade and pursuing the country’s maritime interests. Today 95 per cent of India’s trade by volume and about 68 per cent by value (is) transiting upon the seas… the livelihood of every Indian is linked one way or the other with the seas,” he further went on to say.

Indians live in “an egalitarian society”, he said, adding, “We have moved from being the 10th largest to the 5th largest economy in less than a decade and are poised to be the third largest economy by the end of this decade.”

“The Indian Navy contributes immensely to the Indian economy. The defence sector is a demand creator and with the indigenous innovations taking place in India, we are confident that the Indian Navy will become aatmanirbhar by 2047,” the Navy Chief underlined.  “The Indian Navy is actively looking after the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. In great pride for the diamond city of Surat, India’s first naval ship will be named after a city. INS Surat will be commissioned next year and will reflect Bharat’s growing economic prowess in the world order,” Admiral Hari Kumar said.

Admiral R Hari Kumar was awarded a degree of honourary doctorate in literature by Karnavati University. Ritesh Hada, president of Karnavati University, conferred the degree for his “immense contribution to the Navy”.

As the ceremony concluded, the Indian Naval Ship’s display cabinet was unveiled by Hada and Admiral Kumar.

Twenty-one gold medals were given at the event, and the awardees included eight PhD scholars of Karnavati School of Research.