Navy aiming for a balanced 'force mix'

INTERVIEW ADMIRAL R. HARI KUMAR CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF

- SANJIB KR BARUAH

Maritime security in India has a multi-layered architecture. Are so many layers a disadvantage?

Maritime security, unlike land security, has many complexities. It is not only national, but has a transnational facet to it. This is against the backdrop of the fact that the seas are considered global commons for common good and welfare.

Therefore, India’s maritime security architecture being multi-layered is an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

Every agency has a specific charter. This enables it to develop competencies and capabilities factoring its charter. Pooling of these competencies and capabilities has strengthened maritime security.

Q Historically, naval power has been a prerequisite to becoming a world power. Do you think that has changed?

A The primary nature of war has been constant through millennia, and is unlikely to change. Only the character of war has changed, as stated by [Prussian general Carl von] Clausewitz. Yes, naval power has always been a pre-requisite.

Even when we look at India, invaders who came through land were either driven back or they amalgamated into our national fabric. However, those who came through the seas colonised us and ruled over us for more than two centuries. Further, more than 90 per cent of India’s trade is through the seas. This trade is what keeps our economy going. A strong and stable economy is a pre-requisite for ensuring prosperity for all Indians. And it is the Navy that plays a pivotal role, in consonance with other maritime security agencies, in not only safeguarding, but also promoting our national maritime interests.