Panaji: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval said Friday that in times to come sea, space and cyber are going to be the three areas offering biggest opportunities and also challenges for nations.
Maintaining that India has several geographical advantages, Ajit Doval called upon nations in its near and distant neighbourhood to work together for maritime security.
Ajit Doval was addressing the second edition of the ‘Goa Maritime Conclave’ that began here Thursday. The three-day meet is aimed at identifying common maritime priorities of littoral nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Chiefs of Navies of 10 countries – Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Singapore and Malaysia are participating in the conclave along with the Indian Navy.
“In times to come, seas, space and cyber are going to be the three areas which are going to offer biggest opportunities and also going to present most serious threats,” Doval said.
He pointed out that the challenges before the nations are how to maximise the opportunities and minimise threats. “That is the spirit that brings us together. It is the spirit how do we identify and consolidate our strengths,” Doval added.
Doval said that the participating nations complement each other in regional maritime strategies. “There are many things that need to be done but probably none of us are able to do them alone. But together we can do it,” Doval told the gathering.
“It is desirable for us (participating nations) to identify what we can contribute for each other not only on security front but also in terms of economic opportunities. With common good being our aim, India has geographical advantages. It also has advantage of initiating certain things which can contribute to the common good,” added the NSA.
PTI