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On board INS Vikrant off Goa, October 20 (IANS) In an emotional display of India’s growing maritime dominance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the courage of the Navy and the strategic strength of INS Vikrant.
“It is not just a warship; it is a testament to the ingenuity, determination and global influence of 21st century India,” he said.
Underscoring the ship’s important role in recent operations, he said, “INS Vikrant demonstrated the might of India’s armed forces, forcing Pakistan to capitulate within a matter of days during Operation Sindoor.”
The Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with the brave personnel of the Indian Navy aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, deployed off the coast of Goa.
The visit, steeped in tradition as PM Modi continues to celebrate festivals with India’s armed forces, sends a powerful message to Pakistan amid rising regional tensions. The Prime Minister’s words resonated with the crew as he appreciated their indomitable spirit.
Referring to the Navy’s vital role in national defence, PM Modi said, “These formidable ships, fast aircraft and stealthy submarines are impressive, yet it is your valor that turns them into living instruments of power. Built of iron, they become invincible weapons with you.”
Reflecting on his night stay on the ship, PM Modi shared a deeply personal sentiment: “It is impossible to describe the night I spent here. The energy, patriotism and enthusiasm – especially when you sang about Operation Sindoor – reflected the true essence of a warrior on the battlefield.”
His comments underlined his emotional bond with the armed forces, a theme reinforced by his heartfelt Diwali message: “I am privileged to celebrate this sacred festival amongst you, my brave naval family, who guard India’s maritime borders.”
Commissioned in September 2022, INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, a massive 45,000-tonne aircraft capable of deploying more than 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighters and a range of helicopters.
Equipped with state-of-the-art radar, electronic warfare systems and ski-jump decks, it anchors a formidable carrier battle group comprising frigates, submarines and support ships. This “mobile warfare center” projects India’s power far beyond its shores, serving as a vital link in the country’s maritime strategy.
The deployment of the carrier in the Arabian Sea has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s defense establishment, with its ability to track and strike targets up to 400 km away posing a direct challenge to strategic assets such as Karachi and Gwadar ports.
PM Modi’s presence aboard Vikrant, with his pointed references to Operation Sindoor, has been interpreted as a firm signal to Islamabad, reinforcing India’s readiness to assert its naval supremacy.
PM Modi not only boosted the morale of the Navy but also showcased India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing to the world. The incident underlined the country’s shift toward maritime dominance in the Indo-Pacific, a region of growing geopolitical importance.
–IANS
SKTR/SKP