<span style="color: #222222;">The second edition of the Naval Commanders' Conference of 2021 commenced in New Delhi today. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders during the inaugural session and interacted with them on matters relating to national security. The conference was attended by all Operational and Area Commanders of the Indian Navy to review major operational, materiel, logistics, Human Resource Development, training, and administrative activities.<br />'' <br />'' Mr Singh said, the geographical location of India is unique in many ways and it is very important from the point of view of strategy, trade and resources. He stated that as a responsible maritime stakeholder India supports consensus-based principles and a peaceful, open, rule-based and stable world order and envision the Indian Ocean Region with the universal values of rule-based freedom of navigation and free trade in which the interests of all participating countries are protected.<br />'' <br />''<br />''The Minister expressed happiness that Navy has already been ahead in the field of self-reliance, indigenisation in shipbuilding, and manufacturing of submarines. He said in the last five financial years, more than two-thirds of the Navy's Modernisation Budget has been spent on indigenous procurement.</span><br />