Top Navy commanders discuss maritime security issues

Top naval commanders in a four-day conference that began today will discuss aspects concerning the country's maritime security, analyse mission-based deployments and larger issues of the geo-strategic Indian Ocean, a region witnessing increasing Chinese presence.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who inaugurated the conference, told reporters that there has been a very pointed discussion on issues raised by naval commanders and Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba.

The defence secretary, the financial advisor in the defence ministry and the Navy have been having talks with an open mind and several issues of concern have seen a "meaningful discussion", she said.

The conference will culminate on May 11.

Admiral Lanba said during the conference, "We are going to analyse our mission-based deployments, maintenance to operational transitional cycle and larger issues of geo-strategic Indian Ocean."