Inviting outside forces will dent unity: Rajnath

Hyderabad: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday praised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for his cooperation with the Indian Navy in setting up the very low frequency (VLF) radar station in the Damagundam Reserve Forests in Pudur mandal, Vikarabad district. He said the project holds great significance for national security and urged political parties not to "politicise" projects of such national importance.

Singh made these remarks after laying the foundation for the Indian Navy facility, which is being built at a cost of `3,200 crore over 2,900 acres. The facility is expected to be operational by 2027.

In a message to countries sharing maritime boundaries with India, Singh stressed that maritime security is a collective effort, and inviting “outside forces” would undermine efforts for unity. He said that maintaining peace in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean region should be a top priority.

The defence minister expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the project, particularly the Telangana government and the local community, for their support. “When it comes to the security and sovereignty of the nation, all people should rise above ideologies, religions, and sects and unite,” he said.

Addressing environmental concerns, Singh assured that all environmental conditions are being considered, and the project would not negatively affect people, wildlife, or biodiversity. Instead, it would contribute to economic development and job creation in the region.

He further said that the defence ministry would take all necessary steps to rehabilitate affected individuals, if required, during the construction phase. However, he expressed confidence that such a situation would not arise. Singh added that the VLF station would open new opportunities for employment and economic development for the local population.

The Union minister noted that the new facility would enhance the Indian Navy’s operational readiness by ensuring effective command and control capabilities in challenging maritime environments. He added that it would play a pivotal role in strengthening naval communication infrastructure, enabling reliable and secure long-distance transmissions.

“Effective coordination between men and machines is becoming increasingly important given the evolving nature of warfare. This VLF station is being built with the vision of securing our maritime interests. It will ensure secure, real-time communication between our ships, submarines, and the armed forces' command centres,” the defence minister said.

He said there is a need to continuously strengthen the Indian Navy in light of growing global interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). “Our interests extend across the Indo-Pacific region. We have also emerged as the first responder and a preferred security partner in the IOR. Many countries are now focusing on marine resources in the region. To secure our commercial and security interests and maintain our position as a strong deep-sea force, it is necessary to possess state-of-the-art platforms and a robust communication system,” he added.

Describing the Indian Navy as “the biggest guarantee of peace in the entire IOR, including the Bay of Bengal,” the defence minister said the importance of continuously empowering the defence forces to keep up with the growing global interest in the Indian Ocean Region remains high.

“India believes in unity, not division. That’s why we are making every effort to bring our friendly neighbouring nations along with us,” he said.

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi noted that the VLF station would be a game-changer for naval communication. “This facility will complement INS Kattabomman in Tamil Nadu, ensuring secure and continuous communication with submarines, thereby enhancing their stealth and effectiveness,” Admiral Tripathi said.

Parigi MLA T. Ram Mohan Reddy expressed pride in the project being established in Telangana. “This region has always been ready to contribute to the nation’s defence. The establishment of this VLF station here fulfils a long-awaited aspiration, strengthening our country’s defence,” the MLA said.