Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Indian Navy personnel aboard the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, calling it a “remarkable moment amid the vast ocean and the valour of India’s soldiers.”
Celebrating Diwali with our brave Navy personnel on board the INS Vikrant. https://t.co/5J9XNHwznH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2025
A Festival of Light and Valour at Sea
Addressing sailors on deck, PM Modi said celebrating Diwali aboard INS Vikrant was a “divine experience,” comparing the sunlight on the waves to the diyas lit by India’s protectors.
He extended Diwali greetings to 140 crore citizens, calling INS Vikrant a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and “21st-century India’s talent, innovation, and pride.”
Modi recalled the ship’s commissioning as a historic moment when the Indian Navy replaced its colonial-era ensign with one inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
“Vikrant’s name alone is enough to rattle Pakistan,” he said, stressing India’s growing maritime power and confidence.
Our goal is to make India one of the world’s top defence exporters: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/yve7p4b0Dy
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 20, 2025
India’s Defence Industry on the Rise
Highlighting India’s rapid strides in self-reliance, the Prime Minister said the nation’s defence production has tripled to over ₹1.5 lakh crore, with more than 40 indigenous warships and submarines delivered since 2014.
“Every 40 days, a new vessel joins the Navy,” he noted, adding that defence exports have surged 30-fold in the last decade, driven by start-ups and indigenous innovation.
“Missiles like BrahMos and Akash have proven their might. Now, the world wants to buy Indian defence systems,” he said.
INS Vikrant is a towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India. pic.twitter.com/ncLnADlYbG
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 20, 2025
Operation Sindoor: India’s Unified Military Power
Modi praised the coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, crediting their unity and valour for Pakistan’s swift surrender during Operation Sindoor.
He saluted the bravery and professionalism of India’s armed forces, saying they “embody the true spirit of Bharat’s strength and self-belief.”
India: A Global Humanitarian Partner
Recounting India’s global humanitarian efforts, PM Modi listed missions like Operation Neer in Maldives (2014), flood relief in Sri Lanka (2017), tsunami aid in Indonesia (2018), and rescue efforts in Myanmar, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
“From Africa to Southeast Asia, India stands ready to help wherever disaster strikes,” he affirmed.
He also praised the armed forces for conducting large-scale evacuations from Yemen to Sudan, saving countless Indian and foreign lives.
Victory Over Maoist Terror and Path to Prosperity
PM Modi hailed the near-total elimination of Maoist insurgency, noting that affected districts have dropped from 125 to just 11.
“In many of these regions, people are celebrating Diwali freely for the first time,” he said, pointing to new roads, schools, and industries replacing fear and violence.
“Bharat Mata Ki Jai”: The Spirit of a Rising Nation
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister said:
“From deserts to glaciers, from the skies to the seas, our soldiers protect India with unshakable devotion. The peaks they guard will remain symbols of victory, and the waves beneath will echo—‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai!’”
