While Goa is known for its bustling tourism; according to decorated naval veteran, Commodore Dr Srikant B. Kesnur, VSM (Retd), Goa is also India’s hub of strategic maritime brain and brawn. Whether it’s building submarines, training fighter pilots or teaching future admirals, Goa is where the future of India’s maritime identity is being built.
On the occasion of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias’ centenary celebrations, Kesnur delivered an audio-visual presentation titled ‘Navy and the Nation: Navy’s Role in Nation Building’ at the club’s premises in Miramar.
Having served in the Indian Navy for over 36 years as ship commander, naval historian and defence adviser to East Africa, Kesnur was well positioned to steer the attendees on a journey of India’s maritime heritage and the navy’s role in national development.
Kesnur highlighted Goa’s unparalleled contribution to India’s naval infrastructure. Describing it as the nerve centre of Indian naval aviation, he said Goa hosts the navy’s largest and most powerful aviation base, training ace pilots across fighter, helicopter and reconnaissance squadrons. “There are countries proud of their clubs or soda brands, Goa can proudly claim it trains India’s best naval aviators,” he quipped.
He also noted that India’s hydrography training school, which produces world-class surveyors, is located in Goa, as is the prestigious Naval War College, which develops the nation’s future admirals. He stated that the state of Goa is not only home to training establishments, but it also has elite commando training schools, the Ocean Sailing Node and India’s best naval museum, establishing itself as a maritime education and strategic hub.
Shifting to history, he reflected on the liberation of Goa in 1961 and mentioned three naval operations at the Anjadiva island, Mormugao harbour and Diu. Interestingly, Anjadive is still the only documented case of the Indian Navy engaging in a land battle, demonstrating the capability of the Indian Navy for operations beyond the sea.
Without disclosing classified details, Kesnur asserted that Indian Navy platforms deployed during Operation Sindoor would leave “the enemy very, very worried.” These indigenous ships, designed and built in India, showcase how far the country has come since independence, when it had just a handful of British sloops (sailing vessels with a single mast).
He pointed out the ever-present threat from Pakistan, and said that India “cannot be sea-blind.” Kesnur further said if India wants maritime deterrence, it cannot count on diplomacy alone, especially in a region fraught with instability. “We’ve taken proactive measures over the last several months that the Western liberal democracies have hesitated to do in the North Arabian Sea. The Indian Navy rose to the occasion,” he said, referring to both piracy and state-levelthreats.
He also described how Goa-built ships, like the new sail training vessel INS Tarangini and Ratnakar Dandekar’s shipbuilding legacy, reflect Goa’s industrial importance to national defence. “Goa should be proud, it’s not just a tourist destination. It’s where India’s strategic maritime brain and brawn come together,” he noted. Dandekar is well known globally for fabricating world class sailing vessels.
Kesnur concluded by noting that Goa was not a mere observer in naval history, but rather a participant and active and dynamic partner. “Whether we are building submarines or training fighter pilots and teaching future admirals, Goa is where the future of India’s maritime identity is being built.”
