New Delhi: Defence Minister AK Antony will articulate India's view on maritime security, freedom of use of sea lane and piracy during the Asia Security Summit to be held in Singapore on Saturday.
On the sidelines of the Summit, also known as Shangri-La Dialogue, Antony will also hold bilateral talks with the leaders of several key countries such as France, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Canada, Vietnam and Tonga.
"Antony will be accompanied by a delegation including Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma and Chairman of Integrated Defence Staff Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha," Defence Ministry officials said in New Delhi on Thursday.
The countries present in the Summit will hold discussion on the issue of 'Protecting Maritime Freedoms' and a number of other security-related issues as well.
Addressing the Summit, Defence Minister will touch upon a number of issues related to maritime security in the Indian Ocean such as threat of piracy, safety for merchant vessels and coordination among navies operating in the area.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, who will be visiting India in June, will also attend the Shangri La dialogue.
On a nine-day Asia trip, Panetta would visit New Delhi next week on the last leg of his tour, after visiting Singapore and Vietnam.
The event, organised by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), has been taking place annually since 2002.
Antony will leave for the Summit tomorrow and will be back on Sunday.
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