Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that a strong maritime capability is the deciding factor for a country’s economic and strategic influence, and India is preparing for it.
In his address after commissioning three indigenously built naval ships in Kolkata, Mr Modi said India does not want to remain only a buyer country in the defence sector and the nation’s armed forces cannot become just a market for the world. Prime Minister said, no nation can become a big power without maritime prowess and development, security and prosperity are tied to the seas. He said, a country with maritime capabilities is strong and has more economic and strategic influence.
Prime Minister commissioned indigenously built stealth frigate Dunagiri, survey vessel Sanshodhak and anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft Agray yesterday. He said the frontline platforms represent key operational capabilities across maritime combat, hydrographic surveying and anti-submarine warfare. Mr Modi said India’s journey from INS Vikrant to this date is not just about new warships but towards increasing self-reliance.
The PM said the commissioning of INS Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Sansodhak is giving momentum to that journey. Stating that India was once among the world’s largest defence importers, Mr Modi said this dependence caused the country to face both strategic and security challenges.
Prime Minister said that since 2014, his government has taken major policy-level reform initiatives to overcome these issues. Mr Modi said that over 40 warships and submarines have been commissioned in the last few years, and 45 large naval platforms are under construction.
