Focus is now on security of masses, not elite: Akbar

Colva: Minister of state for external affairs M J Akbarsaid the world's focus has shifted from the security of the elite to the security of the masses.

Akbar was speaking during the inaugural address of the Forum for Integrated National Security (FINS), a three-day discourse in Goa, in which 21 countries are participating.

The minister said though India's landmass is secure, attention has to be given to threats from the sea.

"The land mass of the country is more secure than its sea routes. The last terrorist attack was from the sea and hence we need to take another look at strategic positions," he said.

Speaking on nations formed on basis of religion, Akbar said, "Seventy years after the creation of the first Islamic state, stability is the principal factor in people's revolutions, peaceful revolutions, while instability is the characteristic of a state driven in the name of a particular religion."

Akbar further said, "In the 21 century, people are demanding freedom of speech and rights, freedom from starvation and freedom of hope because all these belong to the people."

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who was also present at the event, said the ocean is an important aspect of humanity. "The rise in ocean levels will slowly wipe countries from the map and the depletion of fish has already begun due to various factors," he said.

Others who spoke were FINS president Rtd Lt general D Shekatkar, and convener Prabhakaran Paleri.