India ensured no one exercises hegemony in Indian Ocean region: Rajnath

Indian Navy is ensuring that no country with overwhelming economic and military power is able to assert dominance over other nations in the Indian Ocean region or threaten their sovereignty, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said

The Indian Navy is ensuring that no country with overwhelming economic and military power is able to assert dominance over other nations in the Indian Ocean region or threaten their sovereignty, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Madras 5 in an oblique reference to China's increasing military muscle-flexing.

In an address at an event in Goa, Mr. Singh also said India is ensuring that all the neighbouring countries of the Indian Ocean should be helped in protecting their autonomy and sovereignty.

"We have ensured that no one exercises hegemony in the region," he said after inaugurating a new building at the Naval War College in Goa and virtually dedicating several infrastructure projects in Karnataka's Karwar naval base.

The Defence Minister highlighted that due to the Indian Navy's readiness, India is fulfilling its responsibility in the Indian Ocean Region by providing full assistance to the littoral countries.

He stated that the Navy is ensuring that no country, with its overwhelming economic and military power, is able to assert dominance over friendly countries or threaten their sovereignty.

The readiness with which the Navy stands with the country's allies provides substantive strength to India's global values, he said.

"India is ensuring that all the neighbouring countries of the Indian Ocean should be helped in protecting their autonomy and sovereignty. We have ensured that no one exercises hegemony in the region," he said.