Rajnath Singh Calls for Collective Pursuit of Peace at MILAN Exercise 2024
GG News Bureau
Visakhapatnam, 22nd Feb. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh emphasized the global imperative for peace in today’s democratic and rules-based world order, urging nations to collaborate actively for shared peace and prosperity.
His remarks came during the formal opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the multi-nation Exercise MILAN in Visakhapatnam on February 21, 2024.
The event witnessed the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, along with Ministers, Ambassadors, Chiefs of Navies, and representatives of Maritime Forces from over 50 friendly countries.
Delving into the concept of peace, the Raksha Mantri delineated the various dimensions, including “negative peace” characterized by dominance or hegemony, and “cold peace” marked by covert rivalry. He underscored the significance of “positive peace,” which transcends the absence of direct conflict and embodies broader notions of security, justice, and cooperation on a global scale.
Highlighting the evolving role of Armed Forces, Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized their dual function of conducting wars and preserving peace. He emphasized the historical significance of military engagements in deterring conflicts, preventing confrontations, and facilitating humanitarian assistance efforts during disasters.
The Raksha Mantri underscored the critical role of international military exercises like MILAN in fostering friendship, understanding, cooperation, and military interoperability among nations within a democratic framework. MILAN 2024, he noted, serves as a platform to forge fraternal bonds across oceans and mountains, contributing to global peace and stability.
While advocating for peace and shared goodness, Shri Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to countering threats such as piracy and trafficking, ensuring safety and security in the maritime domain. He underscored India’s proactive engagement in the region, aiming to be the First Responder and the Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
In his address, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar highlighted MILAN’s significance in promoting cohesion, camaraderie, and collaboration among navies across the Indo-Pacific. He emphasized the event’s role in fostering collective expertise and strength, facilitating joint operational drills and skill refinement among participating nations.
The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the NISHAR communication terminal and the inauguration of MILAN Village, showcasing the cultural diversity and cuisine of participating nations. Additionally, the Maritime Technical Exposition MTEX-24, aimed at promoting self-reliance in the defence sector, was inaugurated by Shri Rajnath Singh, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange among industry leaders and defence professionals.
MILAN 2024, the largest and most complex edition to date, underscores the enduring spirit of international maritime cooperation, symbolizing the collective commitment to peace, prosperity, and security in the region.
