PM Modi celebrates Diwali with Navy personnel onboard INS Vikrant
PANAJI, Oct 20:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the exceptional coordination among the three armed forces -” fear instilled by the Navy, extraordinary skills of the Air Force and bravery of the Army -” forced Pakistan to its knees during Operation Sindoor in no time.
Addressing the Navy personnel onboard INS Vikrant off the Goa coast, he said the indigenously built aircraft carrier was a “powerful symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and its handover to the Navy led to renouncement of a major colonial legacy.
“A few months ago we had seen how INS Vikrant had given Pakistan some sleepless nights. INS Vikrant, the name itself puts an end to the courage of the enemy,” Modi said.
Modi spent a night onboard INS Vikrant and witnessed the Navy’s air power at the high seas with MiG 27 aircraft demonstrating its skills on the aircraft carrier built at the Cochin Shipyard.
He said that when the enemy is in front and war is imminent, the side that possesses the strength to fight independently always holds the advantage.
“The fear instilled by the Indian Navy, the extraordinary skill demonstrated by the Indian Air Force, and the bravery of the Indian Army, along with the exceptional coordination among all three services, brought Pakistan on its knees swiftly during Operation Sindoor,” the prime minister said, adding that the armed forces deserved a special salute for their actions.
“For the armed forces to be strong, self-reliance is essential,” he said, asserting that over the years India’s forces have steadily advanced towards self-reliance.
“Missiles such as BrahMos and Akash have proven their capabilities during Operation Sindoor. Several countries around the world are now interested in purchasing these missiles,” Modi said.
He said that the armed forces have identified thousands of items that will no longer be imported, resulting in most essential military equipment now being manufactured domestically.
He said that in the last 11 years, India’s defence production has more than tripled, crossing Rs 1.5 lakh crore last year.
Since 2014, Indian shipyards have delivered over 40 indigenous warships and submarines to the Navy, Modi said, adding that on an average a submarine or warship produced domestically is being inducted every 40 days.
He said India was building the capacity to export weapons and equipment for all three armed forces.
“India’s goal is to be counted among the world’s top defence exporters”, Modi
Exceptional coordination
said, adding that over the past decade, the country’s defence exports have increased more than 30-fold.
He credited this success significantly to the contributions of defence start-ups and indigenous defence units.
The prime minister also commended the Indian Coast Guard for their vital role in national defence and noted their continuous coordination with the Navy to secure India’s coastline day and night.
He recalled the moment when INS Vikrant was handed over to the nation, and said the warship was grand, immense, panoramic, unique and exceptional.
“Vikrant is not merely a warship; it is a testament to 21st-century India’s hard work, talent, impact, and commitment,” Modi said.
“On the very day the nation received the indigenously built INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy renounced a major symbol of colonial legacy,” he said.
Modi highlighted that inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Navy adopted a new flag.
INS Vikrant, India’s first home-built aircraft carrier, was commissioned in 2022 to strengthen the country’s naval presence.
Described as a city on the move, INS Vikrant is the largest warship to be built in India and also India’s second operational aircraft carrier after INS Vikramaditya, which was built on a Russian platform.
Modi arrived here on Sunday evening and boarded the home-built aircraft carrier off the coast of Goa.
While onboard INS Vikrant, the prime minister went to the Flightdeck, surrounded by MiG 29K fighter aircraft.
He witnessed the takeoff and landing of MiG 29 fighter jets on a short runway of the aircraft carrier, both during the day and in the dark night.
Modi also witnessed a vibrant cultural programme where the officers and sailors of the Indian Navy sang various patriotic songs, including a song specially written by them to commemorate the success of Indian Armed Forces in Operation Sindoor.
Modi had dinner with the extended family of naval personnel during the Bara Khana.
On Monday morning, Modi joined a Yoga Session on the deck of INS Vikrant and also witnessed a spectacular steampast of warships and flypast by aircraft.
The warships which took part in the steampast included INS Vikrant, INS Vikramaditya, INS Surat, INS Mormugao, INS Chennai, INS Imphal, INS Kolkata, INS Tushil, INS Tabar, INS Teg, INS Betwa, INS Deepak and INS Aditya.
The flypast included Chetak, with flag and naval ensign, MH 60 R, Seaking, Kamov 31, Dornier and P8I and MiG 29K.
“Last night spent onboard INS Vikrant is hard to put into words. I saw the immense energy and enthusiasm you all were filled with. When I saw you singing patriotic songs yesterday, and the way you described Operation Sindoor in your songs, no words can ever fully convey the experience that a jawan feels standing on a battlefield,” Modi said.
“My Diwali has been special as it was spent amongst you,” he said.
The prime minister has been celebrating Diwali with the armed forces since 2014.
Modi stated that when the enemy is in front and war is imminent, the side that possesses the strength to fight independently always holds the advantage. He emphasized that for the armed forces to be strong, self-reliance is essential. The Prime Minister expressed pride that over the past decade, India’s forces have steadily advanced towards self-reliance. He noted that the armed forces have identified thousands of items that will no longer be imported, resulting in most essential military equipment now being manufactured domestically. He highlighted that in the last 11 years, India’s defence production has more than tripled, crossing ₹1.5 lakh crore last year. Citing another example, Shri Modi informed the nation that since 2014, Indian shipyards have delivered over 40 indigenous warships and submarines to the Navy. He added that currently, on average, a new indigenous warship or submarine is being inducted into the Navy every 40 days.
“Missiles like BrahMos and Akash have proven their capabilities during Operation Sindoor. Several countries around the world are now interested in purchasing these missiles”, said the Prime Minister, emphasising that India is building the capacity to export weapons and equipment for all three armed forces. “India’s goal is to be counted among the world’s top defence exporters”, affirmed Shri Modi, stating that over the past decade, India’s defence exports have increased more than 30-fold. He credited this success significantly to the contributions of defence start-ups and indigenous defence units.
Prime Minister stated that India’s tradition regarding strength and capability has always been rooted in the principle—“Gyanaya Daanaya Cha Rakshanaya,” meaning our science, prosperity, and power are dedicated to the service and protection of humanity. He emphasized that in today’s interconnected world, where nations’ economies and progress depend heavily on maritime routes, the Indian Navy plays a crucial role in ensuring global stability. Shri Modi highlighted that 66 percent of the world’s oil supply and 50 percent of container shipments pass through the Indian Ocean. He noted that the Indian Navy is deployed as the guardian of the Indian Ocean to secure these routes. Additionally, through mission-based deployments, anti-piracy patrols, and humanitarian operations, the Indian Navy serves as a global security partner across the region.
“Indian Navy plays a significant role in ensuring the security and integrity of India’s islands”, emphasised the Prime Minister. He recalled the decision taken some time ago to hoist the national flag on every island of the country on 26th January. Shri Modi affirmed that the Navy fulfilled this national resolve, and today, the tricolour is being proudly hoisted by the Navy on every Indian island.
Prime Minister stated that as India progresses rapidly, efforts are being made to ensure that all nations of the Global South advance alongside. He highlighted that India is working on the ‘Mahasagar Maritime Vision’ and is becoming a development partner for many countries. He emphasized that whenever needed, India stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance anywhere in the world. From Africa to Southeast Asia, during times of disaster, the world views India as a global companion. Shri Modi recalled that in 2014, when neighbouring Maldives faced a water crisis, India launched ‘Operation Neer’, and the Navy delivered clean water to the country. In 2017, when Sri Lanka was struck by devastating floods, India was the first to extend a helping hand. In 2018, following the tsunami disaster in Indonesia, India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Indonesia in relief and rescue operations. Similarly, whether it was the destruction caused by an earthquake in Myanmar or the crises in Mozambique in 2019 and Madagascar in 2020, India reached out everywhere with a spirit of service.
