Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), engaged in a series of constructive discussions with Dr. Shilpak Ambule, the esteemed High Commissioner of India to Singapore.
The high-level talks, held against the backdrop of the robust and enduring ties between India and Singapore, focused on enhancing Navy-to-Navy relations and fostering closer maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The discussions, marked by warmth and cordiality, underscored the shared commitment of India and Singapore to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various domains, with a particular emphasis on maritime security and defense collaboration.
Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar and Dr. Shilpak Ambule deliberated on the strategic importance of the Indian Navy’s role in safeguarding the maritime domain and promoting Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), a vision championed by India in the Indo-Pacific.
Central to the talks was the recognition of the pivotal role played by the Indian Navy in maintaining peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region, amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics and emerging security challenges.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening Navy-to-Navy cooperation through joint exercises, training programs, and information sharing initiatives, aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness and promoting interoperability between the two navies.
The discussions also delved into the current maritime situation in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on emerging security threats, maritime disputes, and the need for collective efforts to address shared challenges.
Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar provided valuable insights into the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities, ongoing deployments, and contributions to regional security and stability, highlighting the importance of collaborative approaches in ensuring a rules-based maritime order.
Dr. Shilpak Ambule, for her part, commended the Indian Navy’s role as a responsible maritime stakeholder and a force for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.
She expressed appreciation for India’s proactive engagement in promoting maritime cooperation and upholding maritime norms and principles, in line with its commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The bilateral talks between Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar and Dr. Shilpak Ambule underscored the depth and breadth of the strategic partnership between India and Singapore, particularly in the maritime domain.
The engagement reaffirmed the shared values, interests, and aspirations of both nations, as well as their commitment to working together towards a more secure, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
As India and Singapore continue to deepen their strategic cooperation and maritime partnership, such dialogues serve as invaluable platforms for fostering mutual understanding, trust, and collaboration, thereby contributing to the enduring peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region.
The discussions between Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar and Dr. Shilpak Ambule underscored the shared commitment of India and Singapore to upholding a rules-based international order and promoting collective security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, cooperation, and inclusivity.
