On 43rd Navy Day, PM Modi salutes devotion of Navy personnel

New Delhi: India on Thursday celebrated 43rd Navy Day, with Chief of Naval staff Admiral Robin K Dhowan saying the Navy personnel would rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.

"On the occasion of Navy Day 2014, the personnel of the Navy rededicate themselves to the service of the nation. Indian Navy is a multi-dimensional combat force, we shoulder the responsibility to safeguard maritime interests of nation," said Admiral Dhowan.

The Navy chief, along with Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Army Chief Lt General Dalbir Singh Suhag also paid tributes to martyrs of INS Sindhurakshak at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here.

He also assured that all aspects were being analysed as to why the accident took place.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted "Navy personnel and the impregnable spirit and utmost devotion with which they protect our Motherland".

On the eve of the 43rd Navy Day, Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan noted an increase in threats from the sea, but added that the Indian Navy is prepared.

At a press conference, the Navy chief said terror threat from the sea was a real challenge to be dealt with.

"It is a very, very serious situation which we have taken serious note of," Dhowan said, responding to a question on the attempted hijack of Pakistani ship PNS Zulfiqar.

Asked if the Navy takes into account the possibility that there might be a jihadi group on board when it encounters a Pakistani ship, he said: "We are taking that aspect into account."

On a lighter note, he said: "Out at sea, when officers on watch report to the captain that we have a warship from another Navy, the captain would tell the officer to wish him (the other warship) good morning because he is in international waters and so are you."

"Well, in this changed environment, we have to rethink. We may not wish him good morning and actually carry out a surveillance and figure out who he is," he said.

According to reports, al Qaeda militants tried to hijack a Pakistan Navy frigate earlier this month and use it to target US Navy vessels on anti-terrorism patrol in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

Dhowan, however, said this increases the threat perception for the Navy.

"Terror threat is a real challenge," he said, adding, "challenges have gone up, there are pirates, floating armouries".

On the port infrastructure built by China in neighbouring countries, Dhowan said it was being monitored closely.

About the accident in submarine Sindhurakshak, he said human error led to the sinking of the vessel.

Eighteen navy personnel - three officers and 15 sailors - perished when blasts ripped through the torpedo compartment of the INS Sindhurakshak while the submarine was berthed in Mumbai harbour.