NE NEWS SERVICE
MUMBAI, JAN 15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday dedicated three frontline naval platforms—INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer—to the nation. The commissioning ceremony marked the first-ever tri-commissioning of a destroyer, a frigate, and a submarine.
The commissioning of three frontline naval combatants underscores India's unwavering commitment to building a robust and self-reliant defence sector. Watch LIVE from Mumbai. https://t.co/d1fy14qcrT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2025
Addressing the gathering Shri Modi said that 15th January is commemorated as Army Day and saluted every brave warrior who would sacrifice his life for the safety and security of the nation. He congratulated all the brave warriors on this occasion.
𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 ▶️ 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄
PM Shri @narendramodi dedicates three frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri & INS Vaghsheer to the nation on their commissioning at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. @PMOIndia @rajnathsingh https://t.co/xgMZGZZtad— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) January 15, 2025
- The commissioning of three frontline naval combatants underscores India’s unwavering commitment to building a robust and self-reliant defence sector: PM
- A significant step towards empowering the Indian Navy of the 21st century: PM
- Today’s India is emerging as a major maritime power in the world: PM
- Today, India is recognised as a reliable and responsible partner globally, especially in the Global South: PM
- India has emerged as the First Responder across the entire Indian Ocean Region: PM
- Be it land, water, air, the deep sea or infinite space, India is safeguarding its interests everywhere: PM
Remarking that today was a big day for India’s maritime heritage, the glorious history of the Navy and the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Prime Minister said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gave a new strength and vision to the Navy in India. He added that today the Government had 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 was being done”, highlighted the Prime Minister. He emphasized that it was also a matter of pride that all the three frontline platforms were made in India. He congratulated the Indian Navy, all the stakeholders involved in the construction work and the citizens of India for the achievement.
“Today’s program links our glorious heritage with our future aspirations”, exclaimed Modi. He added that India has a rich history related to long sea voyages, commerce, naval defence and ship industry. Taking cue from this rich history, he remarked that today’s India is emerging as a major maritime power in the world. He added that the platforms launched today displayed a glimpse of the same. The Prime Minister noted the launch of new platforms, including the INS Nilgiri, dedicated to the maritime prowess of the Chola dynasty, and the Surat warship, reminiscent of the era when Gujarat’s ports connected India to West Asia. He also mentioned the commissioning of the Vagsheer submarine, the sixth in the P75 class, following the commissioning of the first submarine, Kalvari, a few years ago. These new frontier platforms, the Prime Minister stated, will enhance both India’s security and progress.
“India is today recognized as a reliable and responsible partner globally, especially in the Global South”, exclaimed the Prime Minister. He emphasized that India operates with a spirit of development, not expansionism. He remarked that India has always supported an open, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region. He noted 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. Highlighting India’s leadership during its G20 presidency, promoting the mantra of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, Shri Modi also mentioned 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. He stated that India considers the defense and security of the entire region as its responsibility.
Emphasising the significant role of maritime nations like India in shaping global security, economics, and geopolitical dynamics, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of protecting territorial waters, ensuring freedom of navigation, and securing trade supply lines and sea routes for economic progress and energy security. He stressed on the need to safeguard the region from terrorism, arms, and drug trafficking.
Modi stressed 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 remarked “India has emerged as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region”. He mentioned that 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. The Prime Minister highlighted the strengthening of India’s economic cooperation with ASEAN, Australia, Gulf countries, and African nations, attributing this to India’s presence and capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region. He emphasized the dual importance of today’s event from both military and economic perspectives.
Stressing on the importance of enhancing and modernizing India’s military capabilities in the 21st century, Modi highlighted, “be it land, water, air, the deep sea or infinite space, India is safeguarding its interests everywhere”. He remarked on the continuous reforms being undertaken, including the establishment of the Chief of Defence Staff. He noted that India is progressing towards the implementation of theatre commands to make the armed forces more efficient.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the Navy’s significant expansion of the Make in India initiative, acknowledging the crucial role of Mazagon Dockyard. He mentioned the inclusion of 33 ships and seven submarines in the Navy over the past decade, with 39 out of 40 naval vessels being built in Indian shipyards. This includes the majestic INS Vikrant aircraft carrier and nuclear submarines like INS Arihant and INS Arighat. The Prime Minister congratulated the armed forces for propelling the Make in India campaign. He highlighted that India’s defense production has surpassed ₹1.25 lakh crore and that the country is exporting defense equipment to over 100 nations. He expressed confidence in the rapid transformation of India’s defense sector with continued support.
Governor of Maharashtra C. P. Radhakrishnan, Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharasthra Eknath Shinde, Shri Ajit Pawar were present among other dignitaries.
