Stating that the Indian Ocean is at the top of India's policy priorities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that time has come for a "strong grouping" around it.
PM Modi's comments came even as he said India recognized that there are other nations around the world, with strong interests and stakes in the region, in a veiled reference to China that is seeking to gain a foothold in the Indian Ocean Region.
"We often define regional groupings around land mass. The time has come for a strong beginning around the Indian Ocean. We will pursue this with new vigour in the years ahead," he said at the commissioning event of India-made coast guard vessel for Mauritius.
The induction of the 1,300-tonne vessel 'Barracuda' for the Mauritian National Coast Guard amid attempts by China to establish its presence in the Indian Ocean Region marks the first of such sales to this strategic island nation which include fast attack craft under construction in Indian shipyards.
Modi said there can be no better place to host the secretariat for Indian Ocean Regional Association (IORA) than Mauritius and that he was pleased that its Secretary General is from India.
Currently Ambassador KV Bhagirath is the Secretary General of IORA.
Asserting that India must also assume its responsibility to shape the future of Indian Ocean, PM Modi said, "Indian Ocean Region is at the top of our policy priorities".
The Prime Minister said those who live in this region have the primary responsibility for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
"But we recognise that there are other nations around the world, with strong interests and stakes in the region," he added.
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