India: NMF’s Eastern Naval Command Organizes ‘Maritime Developments to India’s East’ Seminar

October 11, 2012

Eastern Naval Command hosted a two-day Seminar on ‘Maritime Developments to India’s East’ on behalf of the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) at Samudrika Naval auditorium 08 & 09 Oct 12. The Seminar focused on maritime security, geo-politics, economic integration and international co-operation among the littoral states that bound the region to India’s East including the Bay of Bengal, South China Sea and the Western Pacific Ocean.

The National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi is a non-governmental, non-political maritime think tank. The NMF aims at undertaking studies and analyses of various issues in the maritime domain. The Foundation conducts research in the area of maritime interests of India spanning across the entire spectrum of oceanic activity, maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding, merchant shipping, fishing, energy lifelines, offshore and seabed resources, environment and the laws of the sea. The NMF maintains libraries and information services to facilitate study of maritime issues and provides for the publication of newsletters, research papers, books and journals for the exposition of maritime affairs.

Vice Admiral Anil Chopra, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command welcomed the distinguished guests and delegates whilst Admiral (Retd) Sureesh Mehta, former Chief of the Naval Staff, erstwhile India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand and Chairman NMF delivered the keynote address. The Seminar is aimed at increasing awareness on important maritime considerations developing on India’s Eastern horizons that would ultimately have bearing upon the future of maritime security and stability in the region. A number of eminent personalities from the Indian Navy, the NMF and other institutes of higher learning as well as experienced speakers from strategic think tanks in the country participated in the Seminar. Notable dignitaries included Shri HK Singh, former Indian Ambassador to Japan, Vice Admiral (Retd) Pradeep Kaushiva, Director NMF and Rear Admiral (Retd) Raja Menon. The Seminar was attended by a large number of naval personnel and civilian dignitaries from Visakhapatnam, including Professor A Prasanna Kumar, Regional Director, NMF and Dr Rao Tatavarthy of Gayatri Group of Institutes. The Gen-next was represented by the faculty and students from the Gitam University.

The Papers presented during the Seminar ranged from ‘Piracy and Maritime Crime’, ‘Maritime Jurisdictional Issues’, ‘Development of Littoral Navies’, and ‘Conflicts in the Region’ to ‘Climate Change’, ‘Environmental Security’ and ‘Disaster Relief’. Each lecture was followed by an interactive session with the audience wherein lively debate took place and discussions ensued to enhance India’s strategic options sprung up.

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Naval Today Staff, October 11, 2012; Image: US Navy