Effective defence preparedness key to maintaining peace and stability in S.Asia: Jaitley

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley today said that effective defence preparedness is the key to maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.

Speaking after commissioning India's first indigenously-built stealth anti-submarine warfare, the INS Kamorta, at the naval dockyard here, Jaitley said, "Our effective preparedness is always the best guarantee for peace in this region. Our armed forces have been effectively discharging that function," given that India is in the midst of a disturbed neighbourhood.

He also welcomed the fact that 90 percent of the ship was of indigenous make, and added that the INS Kamorta would serve the country effectively for a very long time.

"Ninety percent of this ship is indigenous. Its steel is entirely indigenous. Its design and making has taken place at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata, one of our foremost shipbuilding yards," he said.

He also praised the Indian navy for doing a commendable job with respect to maritime security.

Outlining his vision for India to become the biggest Defence manufacturer in the world, he said, "In the recent months amongst the various initiatives government has undertaken, one is indigenous manufacture of our Defence deployment. It's about time that we cease to be the biggest buyer in the world and became the biggest manufacturer in the world.