TFP Bureau, New Delhi, October 21,2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali this year with the Indian Navy aboard the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, symbolising India’s growing self-reliance in defence and technological excellence. Addressing the armed forces personnel, the Prime Minister described the occasion as a remarkable and unforgettable moment, surrounded by the boundless ocean on one side and the strength of India’s brave soldiers on the other. He said the glimmering sunlight over the sea resembled lamps lit by the valiant defenders of the nation, forming a divine garland of light on the occasion of Diwali.
The Prime Minister shared that spending a night aboard the warship was an emotional and inspiring experience. He called the dawn over the ocean a sight that would remain etched in his memory. From INS Vikrant, he extended Diwali greetings to 140 crore citizens, dedicating the celebration to the spirit and courage of India’s armed forces.
Referring to INS Vikrant as not just a warship but a living symbol of 21st-century India’s hard work, skill, and determination, Modi highlighted its significance in the nation’s journey towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He recalled that when the ship was commissioned, India also took a decisive step away from its colonial past by introducing a new naval ensign inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He described INS Vikrant as a “towering emblem of India’s self-reliance” and said the ship’s very name evokes fear among adversaries.
The Prime Minister saluted the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for their coordination and courage, recalling the combined military effort during Operation Sindoor that compelled Pakistan’s surrender. He said this spirit of jointness continues to define India’s modern military operations and strength.
Emphasising the importance of self-reliance in defence, Modi said that India’s armed forces have identified thousands of items for indigenisation and are now largely dependent on domestic production. He noted that India’s defence manufacturing output has more than tripled in the past decade, crossing ₹1.5 lakh crore last year. Since 2014, Indian shipyards have delivered more than 40 indigenous warships and submarines, with a new vessel being inducted every 40 days on average.
Highlighting India’s growing prowess in defence exports, Modi cited the global demand for indigenously developed missiles like BrahMos and Akash, which demonstrated their effectiveness during Operation Sindoor. He said India’s goal is to emerge as one of the world’s top defence exporters, noting that the nation’s defence exports have increased more than thirtyfold in the last ten years, with significant contributions from start-ups and private manufacturers.
The Prime Minister underlined that India’s philosophy of power has always been guided by the principle of “Gyanaya Daanaya Cha Rakshanaya”—where knowledge, prosperity, and strength are used for the service and protection of humanity. He praised the Indian Navy’s critical role in ensuring the security of global maritime routes, noting that 66 percent of the world’s oil trade and 50 percent of container traffic pass through the Indian Ocean. “The Indian Navy stands as the guardian of the Indian Ocean,” he said, adding that the force plays a crucial role in anti-piracy missions, humanitarian operations, and regional security collaborations.
He also recalled India’s humanitarian missions across the world—Operation Neer in the Maldives, disaster relief in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, Mozambique, and Madagascar—stressing that India has always stood ready to help nations in times of crisis. He said the armed forces have conducted numerous evacuation operations from war-torn regions such as Yemen and Sudan, saving both Indian and foreign lives.
Highlighting the significant achievement of India’s security forces, Modi announced that the country is now on the verge of being completely free from Maoist terrorism. He said that before 2014, 125 districts were affected by Left-Wing Extremism, but today, the number has reduced to just 11, with only three severely impacted. The Prime Minister said that development, infrastructure, and normal life have returned to areas once dominated by fear and violence. “For the first time, people in these regions are celebrating Diwali without fear,” he said, noting record purchases and celebrations in these districts under the GST Bachat Utsav.
He credited this transformation to the bravery, dedication, and sacrifices of India’s armed and security forces, including the BSF, CRPF, ITBP, Assam Rifles, and Coast Guard. “From the scorching deserts to icy heights, from land to sea and air, every soldier, sailor, and airman is standing firm to protect the nation,” he declared.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said India’s rapid progress—from the ground to space—reflects the collective strength of its people and the leadership of its defence forces. “Our armed forces are not just part of the current—they shape its direction, lead its momentum, and embody the spirit of a new India,” he said. “The peaks where our soldiers stand guard will remain eternal symbols of victory, and the waves that kiss our shores will echo the chant of Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”
With that, Modi once again extended his Diwali greetings, celebrating the courage, self-reliance, and spirit of India’s defenders aboard the pride of the nation—INS Vikrant.
