A pitch for greater Indian maritime interest

Opinion piece here:

The Indian Ocean area will have to remain secure and tranquil. The main instrument of this stability will be the Indian Navy. Our interests lie in the North Indian Ocean spanning from the Persian Gulf to the Malacca Strait. The Navy should have the capability to keep this area under surveillance and presence to ensure no interference takes place to our interests. It must be oceanic in character, regional in reach and proactive in approach.

There is a need to induct certain capabilities which are necessary to ensure maritime security of our nation. First, the entire area should be kept under surveillance; all contacts in all dimensions in this area need to be tracked. Secondly, the Navy must have the capability to meet threats ranging from maritime terrorism to high-end intensive warfare in a force structure that would be networked throughout. It must have reach, staying power and adequate sea-lift capacity. It must be balanced in these capabilities in all the three dimensions. Integral air, anti submarine and anti missile defence must be built in with strong underwater defence and offensive capability.

India does sit on the major sea lanes.