Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday ascribed the "opaque" strategy and "incoherent" behaviour of certain countries with creating obstacles in the way to a favourable marine environment in the Indian Ocean region.
In her address at the Goa Maritime Conclave which got underway here, she also said that the Indian Ocean region has "gained centrestage" in contemporary geo - politics, "largely due to the potential impact on its regional dynamics".
"Opaqueness in strategic intent and incoherent behaviour of certain countries acts as impediments to creating a favourable maritime environment, " she said.
The Defence Minister also said that the objective of the conclave was to "bring together like - minded countries to evolve and formulate collective responses to emerging challenges in the maritime domain".