Stressing the importance of enhancing and modernising India’s military capabilities in the 21st century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Wednesday that “be it land, water, air, the deep sea or infinite space,” India was safeguarding its interests well.
Speaking at a ceremony after commissioning three frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer on the occasion of Army Day, the Prime Minister said that as part of its continuous reforms in the defence sector, India had established the Chief of Defence Staff and was progressing towards the implementation of theatre commands to make the armed forces more efficient.
Averring that “India is today recognized as a reliable and responsible partner globally, especially in the Global South,” the Prime Minister said that “India operates with a spirit of development, not expansionism,” and the country had always supported an open, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region. He said that India considered the defence and security of the entire region as its responsibility.
Modi said that when it came to the development of coastal nations, India introduced the mantra of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) and advanced with this vision. “During India’s leadership during its G20 presidency, we promoted the mantra of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. We also implemented India’s vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’ during the global fight against COVID-19, underscoring India’s belief in treating the world as one family and its commitment to inclusive development.”
Commissioning of warships and a submarine simultaneously marked a big event for India’s maritime heritage, the glorious history of the Navy, and the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Modi said. He added that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave new strength and vision to the Navy in India. “We have taken a major step towards empowering the 21st-century Navy of India in the land of Shivaji Maharaj. It is for the first time that the tri-commissioning of a destroyer, frigate, and submarine has been done. It is also a matter of pride that all the three frontline platforms were made in India. I would like to congratulate the Indian Navy, all the stakeholders involved in the construction work, and the citizens of India for the achievement,” the Prime Minister said.
Dwelling upon the significant role being played by maritime nations like India in shaping global security, economics, and geopolitical dynamics, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of protecting territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation, and securing trade supply lines and sea routes for economic progress and energy security.
While emphasising the need to safeguard the region from terrorism, arms, and drug trafficking, Modi spoke about the importance of becoming global partners in making the seas safe and prosperous, enhancing logistics efficiency, and supporting the shipping industry. He also highlighted the need to prevent the misuse of ocean resources like rare minerals and fish stocks and to develop the capacity to manage them.
Noting the importance of investing in new shipping routes and sea lanes of communication and expressing satisfaction that India is continuously taking steps in this direction, the Prime Minister said: “India has emerged as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region. In recent months, the Indian Navy has saved hundreds of lives and secured national and international cargo worth thousands of crores, increasing global trust in India, the Indian Navy, and the Coast Guard.”
Modi said that India’s strengthened economic cooperation with ASEAN, Australia, Gulf countries, and African nations reflected the country’s presence and capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. “Today’s event should be seen from both military and economic perspectives,” he said.
“Today’s program links our glorious heritage with our future aspirations. India has a rich history related to long sea voyages, commerce, naval defence, and the ship industry. Today’s India is emerging as a major maritime power in the world. The platforms launched today displayed a glimpse of the same. While INS Nilgiri is dedicated to the maritime prowess of the Chola dynasty, INS Surat warship is reminiscent of the era when Gujarat’s ports connected India to West Asia. The commissioning of the Vagsheer submarine, the sixth in the P75 class, along with our warships Nilgiri and Surat will enhance both India’s security and progress,” the Prime Minister said.
Expressing satisfaction over the Navy’s significant contribution to the expansion of the Make in India initiative, the Prime Minister said that the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited had played a crucial role in the Navy’s expansion programme. “We have added seven submarines to the Navy over the past decade. Of the total 40 naval vessels commissioned into the Navy during the past one decade, 39 were built in Indian shipyards,” he said.
Congratulating the armed forces for their contribution to the “Make in India” campaign, the Prime Minister said: “India’s defence production has surpassed Rs 1.25 lakh crore and that the country is exporting defence equipment to over 100 nations. This reflects a rapid transformation of India’s defence sector.”
Maintaining that the nation would continue to achieve moments of pride and contribute to making a developed country, Modi said: “While our responsibilities may differ, the goal remains the same-Viksit Bharat.”
Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar were among those present at the naval ceremony.
