‘As bilateral ties improve, we could cooperate with Pak Navy’

• In 1971, the Indian Navy had sealed the Karachi port with its timely and strategic attacks. But, today, the Pakistani Navy is reported to be better equiped. Please comment.
Pathik B Variya

There is no doubt that the Pakistan Navy is better equipped today that it was in 1971. They have added new submarines (which they now build in Karachi), frigates, tankers and other craft to their inventory. The most significant accretion to their force has been the capability to launch anti-ship missiles from their ships, aircraft and submarines. The Indian Navy’s force planning process does take all threats into consideration, but it is predicated more on the national’s colossal maritime responsibilities and our long-term security interests.

• What is the Indian Navy’s current power position in the Indian Ocean Region? What are the plans for power projection in the South China Sea and eastwards?
Bandana Tiwari

We have certain responsibilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) towards safeguarding national maritime interests, and also an international obligation to ensure peace and tranquility so that seaborne trade and commerce and continue unhindered. The Indian Navy is fully capable of discharging these roles in the IOR. We currently have neither the need, nor any plans for ‘‘power projection’’ in the South China Sea. If our ships go there, it is only to build bridges of friendship, and to boost cooperative engagement with those Navies.

• Do you see any cooperation between the Navies of India and Pakistan, if and when border skirmishes are sorted out?
Ravi Prasad

The post-Cold War period has witnessed an increasing degree of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Navies. This encompasses a wide spectrum of activities that range from ensuring safety of sea lines of communication (SLOCs), protection of vital maritime assets, search and rescue, or policing/ constabulary duties. We intend to work in close coordination with other Navies that have similar interests. It is not inconceivable that in the years ahead, as bilateral relations improve, we could also cooperate with the Pakistan Navy in some or all of these areas.

• With the setting up of the Karwar base, does it not send out the message that you are giving more teeth to the seaboard that faces Pakistan? What about arming the Eastern seaboard?
Ajit Singh

The new naval base at Karar has been established mainly to de-congest our Mumbai (and to a lesser extend Kochi) base. Karwar was chosen because it is an excellent harbour, and was eminently suitable as a base from many other viewpoints. We have never been Pak-centric in our planning process, which encompasses a much wider frame of reference. We have other plans for our Eastern seaboard and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

• The Navy has won wide praise for its tsunami operations. Any chance the Navy will be in a position to train foreign Navies in peacetime rescue? Have any countries approached you so far?
P S Kutty

The Navy considers itself fortunate and privileged that we could reach out to our neighbours, while at the same time rendering help and succour to our own countrymen on the east coast and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Our officers and men train continuously to fight a war, and most activities related to disaster relief, are generally subsumed within this training. However, the tsunami did teach us a few lessons which are being incorporated into our contingency plans. We impart training to personnel of foreign Navies in large numbers, and if required we could give them ‘‘disaster relief’’ capsules.

• We always read reports about the Navy’s dipping submarine force levels. How serious is the situation and what are we doing about it?
Ronobir Roy

Like all other platforms, submarines too have a finite life, after which they reach obsolescence and have to be ‘‘de-commissioned’’ or withdrawn from service. Based on such life cycle forecasts, we have drawn up plans for replacement of our submarine fleet, keeping in mind the threats and the minimum force levels required to counter them. If and when a situation arises that submarines start getting de-commissioned without replacements in sight, the situation can certainly be deemed ‘‘serious’’.

• Do political considerations hinder acquisitions of the Navy as well, just like the Army and IAF have fallen victim at various times?
Binod Pradhan

Modernisation of the Armed Forces is an ongoing activity, which has a vital bearing on national security. It involves acquisition of major weapon systems, which is an inherently protracted and time-consuming process. Therefore, if further delays are imposed (whatever the reason) on this process, obsolescence creeps up and the Armed Forces are placed at a disadvantage in war. While we understand that probity and transparency in acquisitions is essential, a way must be found of keeping this process out of the ambit of controversies so that our Armed Forces are not fettered in war.