NEW DELHI, 10 November 2021, (TON): India has told a gathering of navy chiefs and heads of maritime forces of 12 countries, that New Delhi will continue to oppose and deter the attempts of aggression on land and sea and also called for a collaborative effort in this regard.

Addressing the third maritime conclave in Goa yesterday, Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said “India would work with all willing nations for peace in the Indian Ocean region.”

He said "standing for a rules-bound world.”

Kumar said without naming China's aggressive military build-up in the Indian Ocean Region "Maritime domain is so vast and challenges are so diverse that going alone is not an option for practically any country. We welcome all nations which respect rules and shun aggression, to collaborate in our region.”

The third edition of Goa Maritime Conclave 2021 is being hosted by the Indian Navy from November 7 to 9 with the theme "Maritime Security and Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR (Indian Ocean Region-IOR) Navies."

The Indian Navy is hosting chiefs of Navies/ heads of Maritime Forces from 12 Indian Ocean Region countries comprising Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.