Indian Ocean more contested, and important than ever before: Vice Admiral Swaminathan

Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief of Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, said on Monday, May 11, 2026, that the Indian Ocean is more controversial, more monitored and more results-oriented than ever before.

Observing that the Indian Ocean has always been India’s arena, he noted the growing importance of the region.

“Today, as the Indo-Pacific emerges as the defining theater of 21st century geopolitics, the Indian Ocean is becoming more contested, more watched and more important than ever before,” he said. He was speaking at a conference on ‘Atmanirbharta in Defense – Opportunities for MSMEs’ organized by Bramha Research Foundation and Indian Navy.

Highlighting the critical role played by the Indian Navy in the security of commercial shipping lanes and provision of humanitarian assistance, he said: “This is not a ceremonial peacetime force but an operational navy deployed continuously in a vast and complex maritime domain.” He spoke in detail about the vast opportunities for micro, small and medium industries in the manufacturing of defense ships, ship repair and reassembly.

“Domestic production has now become the gold standard in government procurement,” he said, talking about the changing policy environment designed to support Atmanirbharta.

Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Vice Admiral Atul Anand said that leading educational institutions such as Indian Institutes of Technology as well as many local universities are actively participating in defense sector research and development.