Sea-borne terror, piracy challenge to maritime security: Narendra Modi

Modi also highlighted that a peaceful and stable maritime environment was critical for regional and global security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India was a direct victim of sea-borne terrorism and that threat from sea-borne terror and piracy were two key challenges to maritime security of the country.

He also highlighted that a peaceful and stable maritime environment was critical for regional and global security.Addressing the valedictory function of the International Fleet Review (IFR) after watching the Operational Demonstration of India Navy at RK Beach in Vizag city on Sunday, Mr Modi pitched for respecting the freedom of navigation against the backdrop of the South China Sea dispute.

He said given the scale and complexity of modern day challenges, international maritime stability could not be preserved by a single nation. It had to be a shared goal and responsibility.

Oceans were the lifelines of global prosperity. They presented great economic opportunities to build nations, he added. The Prime Minister mentioned that the threat of sea-borne terror, of which India had been a direct victim, continued to endanger regional and global peace and stability. Piracy, too, remained a strong challenge.