Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday dedicated three frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer to the nation on their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said today was a big day for India’s maritime heritage, the glorious history of the Navy and the mission of self-reliant India.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had given new strength and new vision to the Navy, he said, today the Government had taken a major step towards empowering the 21st century Navy of India in the land of Shivaji Maharaj.
Modi said that submarines including both warships are manufactured in India.
The Prime Minister said that we want to make the sea safe, let us work towards that. Indian Navy is becoming powerful. India gave the mantra of ocean to the world, he added.
We were lucky enough to dedicate the 6th submarine Vaghsheer to the nation.
Rajnath said that the launch of warships is certainly historic. There is certainly an evidence of India’s growing power in the Indian Ocean region, not just the Indian Navy.
The Defence Minister also said, though the Indian Ocean region has always been important geographically and economically, it has certainly become more important in today’s rapidly changing environment.
Modi later held a meeting with Mahayuti MLAs and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Both Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde were also present.
During his series of programs in Mumbai today, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Sri Radha Madan Mohanji Temple, an ISKCON project in Kharghar.
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