Kolkata: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said oceans have once again emerged as the centre of global power balance amid rapidly changing geopolitics, asserting that India must provide maritime leadership with confidence, capability and a clear vision.
Addressing an event in Kolkata, Singh referred to the escalating tensions in West Asia and described the unfolding developments as “highly unusual,” warning that instability in the region could significantly impact the global economy.
“What is happening in West Asia is highly unusual. It is difficult to make any firm comment at this stage on the direction in which conditions in West Asia might proceed going forward,” he said.
Singh noted that the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Persian Gulf region play a critical role in ensuring global energy security.
“If we look at the Strait of Hormuz or the entire Persian Gulf region, it is an extremely important area for the world’s energy security. When there is disturbance or disruption in this region, it directly impacts the supply of oil and gas,” he said.
He added that the tensions are already triggering wider disruptions beyond the energy sector.
“Not only that, today we are witnessing supply chain disruptions not just in the energy sector, but in other sectors as well. The direct impact of these uncertainties falls on the economy and global trade,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister said the evolving global situation has once again underlined the strategic importance of oceans.
“In this era of changing global geopolitics, oceans have once again come to the centre of the world’s power balance. At such a time, as a major maritime nation, it is India’s responsibility to provide leadership with confidence, capability, and a clear vision,” he said.
However, Singh did not directly refer to reports of the United States sinking an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka two days earlier.
The Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was returning home after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise hosted by India. At least 87 Iranian sailors were reported killed in the attack, marking a major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran outside the Persian Gulf.
The United States had launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, reportedly killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Following the strikes, Iran carried out a wave of retaliatory attacks targeting Israel and American military bases in several Gulf countries including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Over the past three days, the conflict has widened significantly with a series of attacks and counter-attacks by both sides, raising concerns over regional stability and global economic repercussions. (Agencies)
