Indian Navy is being 'adequately geared' to neutralize the threat of any sea borne terrorist strikes against its vast coastline including strategic offshore and onshore installations, according to Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

Pointing out that maritime security in the Indian Ocean region had become 'complex, fluid and significantly challenging with a large presence of extra regional forces,'

Mehta said this had led to 'dramatic increase in asymmetric threats' to the nation.

He said these threats would come from non-state actors and portended the most challenging probable contingencies in the region.

The sea-borne terrorist strike was in sharp focus at the top naval commanders' conference being held for the first time in Vishakapatnam based Eastern Naval Command headquarters. The conference was presided over by the naval chief.

"The trend is likely to continue in the foreseeable future," Mehta said, warning that that it was essential that Navy was adequately geared to confront such threats.

The naval chief told his top commanders that efforts should be to make the navy an operationally focused force capable of dealing with changing environment of the 21^st century.

In days to come, Mehta said, navy would be called upon to play a significantly larger role so as to be a regionally relevant force. Also it should be in a position to not only counter any existing and identifiable threats, but also to discharge and further India's maritime interests.     

The conference, which is the highest decision making body of the navy, will focus for the next three days on operational planning, coastal security, defence of national assets at sea and review of weapon platform acquisition.   

The meeting is being held in the backdrop of reports that the induction of country's second aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov may be delayed. The carrier was scheduled to be inducted by middle of next year.

Besides the naval chief, the conference is being attended by Flag Officers Commanding in Chief of the three naval commands and principal staff officers at naval headquarters.