Defense Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the commissioning ceremony of INS Sandhayak, the Indian Navy’s first large survey vessel, at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) base in Visakhapatnam on February 3.
During his address, Singh emphasized that the inclusion of this vessel will bolster India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region. INS Sandhayak’s primary role is to conduct comprehensive hydrographic surveys, covering ports, harbors, navigational channels, routes, coastal areas, and deep seas, contributing to safe marine navigation. The vessel is expected to play a crucial role in gathering information about the oceans, serving both national security interests and collaborative efforts with other nations.
Singh underscored the importance of ocean exploration, noting that expanding knowledge about the ocean, including its ecology, flora, and fauna, will contribute to strategic interests. He highlighted the Indian Ocean’s role in global trade, mentioning choke points like the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Guinea. Singh acknowledged the security challenges in these areas, particularly the threat of piracy, and commended the Indian Navy’s response to rescue merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea from such attempts.