BENGALURU, 6 February, 2021 (TON): Stressing to promote political, economic, and cultural and defense participation in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), President Ram Nath Kovind said on Friday that India is ready to share its expertise and resources with other countries in the IOR.

Kovind told at the valedictory ceremony of the 13th biennial AeroIndia 2021 expo at the Yelahanka air base here that "As an advocate of universal peace and development, we are ready to share our expertise and resources with all the 28 IOR nations in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief."

Referring to the theme of 'Enhanced peace, security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean' at the IOR defense ministers' conclave held on Thursday, the President said that India is for 'security and growth for all in the region' (Sagar).

He further told that under the operation Sagar-1, India has reached the neighbors after the pandemic crisis outbreak and has helped them with almost all the supplies.

The Indian Ocean, a vital sea lane is present at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Australia, houses a number of littorals that play critical roles in the region. It has choke points that are of immense strategic importance, as huge volumes of trade pass through them.

While as a move to strengthen itself at the IOR, India has increased its military capacity from operating only in the neighborhood to operating in the entire region from the Malacca Strait to the waters off the African coasts. In the wake of the pandemic, when the world order is expected to witness a geostrategic shift, India will aim at further strengthening its presence in the IOR.