Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the coast ship Barracuda will make the Indian Ocean safer and more secure and, in doing so, Mauritius will fulfill an important international responsibility because the Indian Ocean is critical to the future of the world.
"Today, the world speaks of 21st century driven by the dynamism and the energy of Asia and the Pacific. But its course will be determined by the tides of the Indian Ocean. This is why Indian Ocean is at the centre of global attention more than ever before," Prime Minister Modi said at the commissioning of Coast Ship Barracuda.
"This Ocean bears two-thirds of the world's oil shipments, one-third of its bulk cargo; and half of its container traffic. Over three-fourths of its traffic goes to other regions of the world. The vast Indian Ocean Region hosts over 40 states and nearly 40% of the world's population. It touches Australia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia and the eastern seaboard of Africa. It sparkles with the gems of island states," he added.
The Prime Minister said everyone will prosper when the seas are safe, secure and free for all.
"We also see growing global stakes and presence in the Ocean. Even in this changing world, the oceans hold the key to its fortunes. And, we will all prosper when the seas are safe, secure and free for all. To ensure this will be our greatest collective responsibility. But, we will also have to rise to other challenges that are not uncommon in our region," he added.
The Prime Minister said that instability and turmoil in coastal and island states can have profound impact on security on the seas.
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"We have seen the tragedy of tsumanis and cyclones. Terror has visited us from sea. Piracy has taken toll of lives and trade on a scale that seemed beyond belief in modern era. Illegal fishing and oil spills hurt our economies. We all feel the rising impact of climate change on our coasts and islands," Prime Minister Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi further said that India has had a long maritime tradition and added that our cultural footprints stretch across Asia and Africa.
"India is at the crossroads of Indian Ocean. Since Lothal in Gujarat became one of the earliest seaports in the world, India has had a long maritime tradition. Our cultural footprints stretch across Asia and Africa. We see this in our strong Diaspora across oceans," Prime Minister Modi said.
"The seas forged links of commerce, culture, and religion with our extended neighbourhood across several millenniums. Our more recent history has focused our attention on our continental neighborhood. But, India has been shaped in more ways by the seas around us," he added.
