Prime Minister Narendra Modi, championing India’s Swadeshi ethos and self-reliance, celebrated Diwali aboard the indigenously built INS Vikrant, highlighting the Navy’s pivotal role in strengthening national security and maritime dominance.
In his address to naval personnel off Goa’s coast, the Prime Minister underscored how indigenous innovation has transformed India’s Defence capabilities, noting that over 40 home-built warships and submarines have been inducted into the Indian Navy since 2014.
“Under our vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, our Navy is forging ahead with unmatched strength,” PM Modi said. “I am proud to share that 40 Swadeshi warships, crafted by the skilled hands of Indian engineers and workers, have joined our fleet. These vessels, born of our soil, reflect India’s growing prowess in Defence manufacturing and ensure our maritime sovereignty. Our target is to make India one of the world’s leading Defence exporters.”
PM Modi said this achievement strengthens India’s strategic influence across the Indo-Pacific region.
He also lauded the success of indigenous missile systems, particularly BrahMos and Akash, during Operation Sindoor — a 2025 counter-terror operation that demonstrated India’s advanced Defence capabilities.
“BrahMos and Akash proved their mettle during Operation Sindoor, showcasing the lethal precision and unmatched power of our home-grown arsenal,” he said. “These supersonic warriors, born from Indian ingenuity, struck fear into those who threaten our peace.”
The Prime Minister noted that the operation reflected close coordination among India’s armed forces, reinforcing the country’s reputation for swift and decisive response.
PM Modi’s overnight stay aboard INS Vikrant was marked by patriotic performances and Diwali celebrations, where he interacted with naval personnel and their families.
“These ships, forged of iron, become living weapons with your valour aboard,” he told the sailors.
Amid ongoing regional tensions, his address served as both a morale boost and a message of deterrence, reaffirming India’s readiness to protect its interests while promoting self-reliance in Defence.
Extending Diwali greetings to the nation from the deck of INS Vikrant, the Prime Minister hailed the carrier as a “testament to 21st-century India’s ingenuity and resolve.”
-IANS
