The Naval War College (NWC), Goa’s new Administrative & Training building, “Chola,” was officially opened on March 5, 2024, by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. This contemporary building honours the nautical empire of the Chola dynasty and represents India’s illustrious maritime history. As a reflection of India’s prominence among the world’s maritime powers, Shri Rajnath Singh praised the Navy in his speech for building a top-notch training centre.
According to the Raksha Mantri, Chola Bhawan is proof of India’s will to adopt its cultural legacy and reject the idea that it is a slave country. He emphasised how people now perceive threats differently and praised Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s imaginative leadership in tackling both maritime and terrestrial threats.
Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India’s expanded position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was highlighted by the Raksha Mantri. As the IOR’s first responder and preferred security partner, India has established a rules-based maritime order and protected the territorial integrity of its neighbours.
Shri Rajnath Singh praised the Navy for its readiness to assist the littoral states and resist any attempt by strong nations in the area to exert their supremacy. Reiterating the importance of economic and security cooperation with maritime neighbours, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative.
The Raksha Mantri emphasised the “New India’s” revolutionary strategic thinking, pointing out that the country, which was before thought of as a “landlocked country with sea shores,” now views itself as an “island country with land borders.” To maximise the resources and prospects in the area for India’s progress, he underlined the significance of the Indian Navy.
At the inauguration, two significant piers at Naval Base Karwar were also unveiled. As a component of Project Seabird’s continuing Phase IIA, the Aircraft Carrier Pier and Auxiliary Vessel Pier strengthen the western coast’s strategic position. In addition to greatly enhancing the local economy, the project is intended to house ships, submarines, yardcraft, a Naval Air Station, an entire Naval Dockyard, and supplies.
Admiral R. Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, emphasised the need of higher military education as well as the changing security concerns in the marine sector. He stated his optimism that the new NWC training complex will act as a Gurukul for the Indian forces as well as their maritime neighbours, providing a platform for learning and sharing perspectives on the sea.
