Mutual cooperation needed to tackle sea related threats

Panaji : National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday said that in times to come seas, 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, he called upon nations in its near and distant neighbourhood to work together for maritime security.

Doval was addressing the second edition of the `Goa Maritime Conclave'. 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 ten countries - Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Singapore and Malaysia are participating in the conclave.

"In the 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. Referring to the participating nations, Doval said, We are aspirational states, we are the states which are interested to see peace in the region and development and growth of countries.

He said the participating nations compliment each other in regional maritime strategies.