Navy has role as security provider in Indian Ocean region: ENC

: Emphasising on transition to mission-based deployment, Eastern Naval Command (ENC) Commander-in-Chief Vice Admiral Karambir Singh Saturday said the Navy had the additional responsibility as a stabilising force and as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean region.

Speaking after reviewing the ceremonial parade on the occasion of Republic Day here, he reminded everyone of the sacrifices of the men and women who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle.

Karambir Singh complimented the units of ENC for maintaining a high tempo of operations meeting all challenges on the eastern seaboard and displaying outstanding professionalism in conduct of several important exercises during the last one year.

He also highlighted the need by each member to maintain professional competence to ensure combat effectiveness and prolonged deployments.

The Admiral also reminded the men and women on parade of the fragile security situation in our region emanating from terrorism and other threats and urged all present to never let their guard down, adding there should be no compromise on security.

He also underscored the importance of information security and need to be on guard against intelligence operatives who try to deceive service personnel with false identities on social media.

He said on this day in 1950, India became a Sovereign Republic by adopting the Constitution and setting the guiding principles and the moral compass for each citizen.

Karambir Singh reminded everyone how the framers of the Constitution, headed by Dr Balasaheb Ambedkar, drew from the best practices from across the world and give us the best Constitution in the world.

He also urged everyone to uphold the guiding principles laid down in the Constitution for preserving the unity and integrity of the nation.

Earlier, he inspected a 50 men armed guard and later reviewed the platoons comprising naval personnel drawn from all ships, submarines and establishments, defence security corps and sea cadets corps.

As part of the Republic Day celebrations, all naval ships at Visakhapatnam were also "dressed overall" with various signal flags displayed from their main mast to the front and rear flag poles.