Cordial ties with neighbours not at cost of national security: Manohar Parrikar

Mumbai: Amid growing tensions with Pakistan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said while good relations with neighbouring countries are always welcome, it cannot be at the cost of national security.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made efforts to maintain relations with the neigbouring country and the people criticized him for it. We would welcome good relations with any neighbours and being friendly helps, but it cannot be at the cost of national security," Parrikar said.

He said the Indian Army does not initiate any action on the Line of Control unless provoked from across the borders, referring to the continuous violation of ceasefire by Pakistan.

Referring to Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chauhan of Maharashtra, who inadvertently cross the LoC last month, he said standard procedures are being implemented to bring him back and the Pakistan government has assured he is alive and safe.

Earlier, Parrikar commissioned the third indigenously-built guided missile destroyer, INS Chennai into the Indian Navy, marking the completion of the crucial Project 15A.

"This is a historic day for the Indian Navy... It will add new a dimension to our navy`s attack capabilities," Parrikar said, lauding the indigenously designed and constructed, Kolkata-class guided missile destroyer built by Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai.

Present on the occasion was Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba, top naval officers of the Western Naval Command and other dignitaries.

While INS Kolkata was the first ship in this class commissioned on August 16, 2014, the second was INS Kochi commissioned on September 30 2015.

After commissioning, INS Chennai shall be placed under the operational and administrative control of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

It will undergo certain additional sea trials of the ship-borne systems before she will assigned to the Western Fleet and based in Mumbai.

Among the largest destroyers constructed in India, INS Chennai is 164 metres long with a displacement of over 7,500 tonnes, and sail at a top speed of over 30 knots (around 55 kms) per hour.

Equipped with formidable prowess of missile technology, the vessel is armed with supersonic surface-to-surface BrahMos missiles and Barak-8 Long Rang Surface-to-Air missiles.

Its undersea warfare capability includes indigenously developed anti-submarine weapons and sensors, prominently the Hull Mounted Sonar HUMSA-NG, heavyweight torpedo tube launchers, rocket launchers and Towed Arrau Sonar capability.

For defence against enemy missiles, INS Chennai is fitted with `Kavach` chaff decoy system and for protection from enemy torpedoes, it had `Mareech` torpedo decoy system, both developed in India.

A potent platform capable of undertaking a variety of tasks and missions spanning the full spectrum of maritime warfare, the vessel can carry and operate two multi-role helicopters.

INS Chennai is propelled by a powerful Combined Gas and Gas propulsion plant consisting of four reversible gas turbines.

Its very high level of automation with sophisticated digital networks on board includes ATM-based integrated Ship Data Network, Combat Management Systems, Automatic Power Management System and Auxiliary Control System.

The ship`s crest depicts the outline of the iconic Fort St. George of Chennai in the background, a part of the adjacent beach and a sloop on blue and white waves.

The crew of the ship abides by the Sanskrit motto, `Shatro Sanharaka` meaning Vanquisher of Enemies, epitomizing the warrior spirit and strong resolve to prevail and succeed in combat.