Rajnath Singh calls for stronger maritime surveillance against grey-zone threats

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for a significant upgrade of the country’s maritime surveillance and response architecture amid what he described as growing congestion, deception and grey-zone activity at sea. Speaking at the Indian Navy’s biannual Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi, Singh said India’s strategic responsibilities in the Indian Ocean Region were increasing alongside its maritime power. He described the Navy as a “First Responder” and “Preferred Security Partner” in the region.

Singh highlighted the Navy’s blue-water capability and said Indian warships were deployed as far as the South China Sea, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean. He said the service had an important role in providing strategic depth and enabling regional power projection. The minister said 2026 would be a historic year for the Navy, with 18 warships planned for induction or commissioning.

He described that figure as the largest single-year increase in the force’s history. Singh also connected maritime security with India’s economic and energy security. He referred to the Navy’s role in protecting the movement of Indian-flagged merchant vessels, particularly LPG tankers, through the Strait of Hormuz under Operation Urja Suraksha during the West Asia crisis.

On defence production, he said recently commissioned Indian warships contained more than 75% indigenous content. He called for the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem to progress towards exporting warships to friendly countries. The minister commended the Navy’s “All Ranks, All Roles” approach and the deployment of women officers on frontline warships and aircraft.

He also congratulated the Navy on assuming command of Combined Task Force-154 and noted Operation Southern Readiness, involving 276 personnel from 27 countries. The conference runs from September 29 to October 1 and is reviewing operational preparedness, maritime security and future capability development.