Securing Oceans Critical, Says PM Modi At Indian Navy's International Fleet Review

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke at the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.

Here are the highlights:

• I am privileged to visit Visakhapatnam. The city has a special place in the heart of all Indians: PM Modi.
• My profuse thanks to men and women of Indian Navy for their tireless dedication for making this Fleet Review a truly historic success.
• My sincere gratitude also to CM Chandrababu Naiduji for his strong support for this international event.
• Your participation is a message of cooperation and friendship that we deeply cherish.
• To build on the gains from today's gathering, India would host the first ever Global Maritime Summit in April this year.
• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - concept of whole world as a family- is perhaps most vividly witnessed on the oceans of the planet.
• Last time India hosted the International Fleet Review was in the year 2001 in the city of Mumbai. The world of 2016 is vastly different.
• At the same time oceans are lifelines of global prosperity. They present us with enormous economic opportunities to build our nations.
• Oceans are critical for the global energy security as over 60 per cent of world's oil production moves through sea routes.
• Our ability to reap economic benefits from the oceans rests on our capacity to respond to the challenges in the maritime domain.
• Threat of sea borne terror, of which India has been a direct victim, continues to endanger the regional and global peace and stability.
• Given the scale and complexity of modern day challenges the international maritime stability cannot be the preserve of a single nation.
• Navies and maritime agencies of the world need to work together and engineer virtuous cycles of cooperation.
• We must use seas to build peace, friendship and trust and curb conflict.
• India is and has always been a maritime nation. Ancient Sanskrit texts also refer to oceans as storehouse of 14 gems.
• Since the days of the Indus Valley Civilisation, India has maintained an extensive network of maritime links.
• Photo Essay book on the 'Maritime Heritage of India' that I have just released, showcases this glorious maritime tradition.
• The Indian Ocean Region is one of my foremost policy priorities.
• Our approach is evident in our vision of 'Sagar', which means 'Ocean' and stands for - Security And Growth for All in the Region.
• India's quest for economic prosperity through oceans is a part of our larger efforts to transform India.
• We are not just a bright spot in the global economy, regionally and internationally we are a pillar of stability and growth.
• Within the country, there is great optimism, enthusiasm and a can-do mindset.
• In a week's time, on February 13, we shall hold 7-days of global engagement under Make in India in Mumbai.
• Of all Indian Naval ships participating in Fleet Review, at least 37 are "Made in India" a number that will surely rise in coming years.
• I see youth in the coastal areas as our true assets. They have a natural and deep understanding of the Oceans.