Panaji, Oct 8 (IANS): Cooperative engagement is essential for promoting security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Indian Navy chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, said here on Friday.

The navy's consistent approach on maritime security is congruent to the government's SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) initiative for inclusive development, Lanba said while addressing the first Goa Maritime Symposium organised by the Naval War College.

He complimented the college on this initiative and presented awards to the graduating foreign officers of the maiden Regional Maritime Security Course. He urged them to take forward the knowledge gained and bonds developed during their stay at Goa to build a better and more secure future.

The symposium contributed majorly towards fostering a sense of maritime awareness that presupposes efficiency in cooperative mechanisms. It also brought out competing narratives and suggested road maps for the future including strengthening existing frameworks such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)- an Indian Navy initiative since 2008.