Maritime strength key to becoming global economic power: PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: A nation's maritime strength is vital for its emergence as a global economic power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here today while highlighting that India has been strong in this area historically.

He was speaking at a function organised for the release of the book 'Pre-Modern Kutchi Navigation Techniques and Voyages.

He referred to his recent visit to countries in Indian Ocean and described this as an effort to revitalize relations with the countries with whom India shares a common ocean.

The Prime Minister said historically, India has been a strong maritime power, which gave her economic strength, a PMO statement said.

The book is a depiction and transcription of "Malam Ni Pothis" - a collection of Gujarati manuscripts which describe the pre-modern navigation technology of Gujarat.

The book describes expeditions undertaken by the Malams (navigators) of Kutch. The original Pothis are dated from the 17th to 19th century.

The Prime Minister complimented all those involved with the preparation of the book and said such efforts are an essential part of every culture which is conscious of its history.

India has usually not been a history-conscious society, and therefore, many great accomplishments of the past have remained anonymous, Modi said, adding in today's age of patents and IPRs, it was vital for India to be conscious of its history and culture.