‘Threats Remain At Choke Points’: Rajnath Singh As He Commissions INS Sandhayak In Visakhapatnam

A stern warning was given against maritime piracy and smuggling, with the Defence Minister making it clear that such activities will not be tolerated.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Sandhayak in Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. ( Image Source :X/@rajnathsingh )

New Delhi: In a momentous event at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, INS Sandhayak, the first of four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Saturday, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Rajnath Singh, present at the commissioning, emphasised the vessel's crucial role in achieving twin objectives, safeguarding the nation, and contributing to the security of other countries, reported news agency PTI.

A stern warning was given against maritime piracy and smuggling, with the Defence Minister making it clear that such activities will not be tolerated. 

"Many choke points, like the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Guinea etc. are present in the Indian Ocean, through which a large amount of international trade takes place. Many threats remain at these choke points, the biggest being from pirates", PTI quoted Rajnath as saying. The Defence Minister also lauded the Indian Navy's effective response to counter piracy and ensure the safe passage of ships through these vital routes.

Rajnath Singh has reiterated India's unwavering commitment to upholding freedom of navigation, trade, and commerce in the Indo-Pacific region, while also emphasising the nation's determination to curb illegal and unregulated fishing in the Indian Ocean.

Rajnath highlighted the strategic significance of INS Sandhayak, asserting that its deployment will further enhance India's role as a superpower in the Indo-Pacific. The minister expressed confidence that the advanced capabilities of INS Sandhayak will contribute significantly to maintaining peace and security in the region, positioning the Indian Navy as a crucial first responder.

INS Sandhayak was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata under the supervision of the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy, INS Sandhayak boasts a displacement of 3,400 tons and a length of 110 meters. The vessel is equipped with cutting-edge hydrographic equipment, including deep-sea and shallow-water multibeam echo sounders, autonomous underwater vehicles, side-scan sonars, remotely operated vehicles, and other advanced features.

INS Sandhayak, with 80% indigenous content, plays a pivotal role in conducting thorough hydrographic surveys of ports, harbors, navigational channels, routes, coastal areas, and deep seas. This capability is crucial for ensuring safe marine navigation and further establishes India's maritime strength in the region.