Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that every Indian Navy and Coast Guard ship currently under construction is being built in Indian shipyards. He said it stands as a testament to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at ‘Samudra Utkarsh seminar in New Delhi today, Mr Singh said, for India, the reliance on maritime trade is especially high. The Minister highlighted that almost 95 per cent of India’s trade by volume and around 70 per cent by value travels through sea routes. Mr Singh said, this mode of transportation remains, the most economical and efficient mode for moving bulk cargo across continents, enabling global supply chains and supporting national economies.
Defence Minister said, Indian shipyards are also emerging as major players in the global commercial and dual-use maritime industry. He said, India’s shipbuilding ecosystem today stands on the strength of multiple world-class platforms that reflect the country’s technological maturity and industrial depth. Mr Singh said, Larsen and Toubro Shipbuilding has built technologically sophisticated high-speed interceptor craft and offshore patrol vessels that are now being exported.
The Minister said, Ships from friendly foreign nations are increasingly coming to Indian shipyards for complex refits. Mr Singh said, this is a clear recognition of India’s capability, reliability and cost competitiveness. He said, India wants to become the preferred sustainment and repair hub for the entire Indo-Pacific region.
