“We are realising the dream of our freedom fighters, who envisioned a capable and strong India. Vikrant is massive, distinguished and special. If goals are distant, journeys are long, the ocean and its challenges are endless, India’s answer is Vikrant,” he said at Cochin Shipyard Ltd, where the mammoth warship built at a cost of Rs 20,000 crore took shape over 13 years.
Flanked by defence minister Rajnath Singh and Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Modi compared the 262m long and 62m wide INS Vikrant – named after its illustrious predecessor that played a crucial role in the 1971 War – to a floating city that was a living embodiment of the five pledges he proclaimed during his Independence Day speech this year.
A historic day for India! Words will not be able to describe the feeling of pride when I was on board INS Vikrant… https://t.co/zlazuUrj60
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1662176378000
Read: Why INS Vikrant is India’s new floating superpower
“No challenge is too difficult for India today. Vikrant has filled us with a new confidence,” the PM said. “We believe in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. As India moves rapidly towards a $5 trillion economy, our share in global trade will increase. A large part of it will inevitably be through maritime routes. In such a situation, INS Vikrant will be crucial as it will safeguard our security and economic interests.”
Modi said a strong India would also “pave the way for a peaceful world”.
On the Naval Ensign that replaces the colonial Saint George’s Cross, the PM said, “Till now, the identity of slavery remained on the flag of the Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the new Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky.”
Modi raised the new-look flag on the flight deck of INS Vikrant and unveiled the commissioning plate.
Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan, CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Union ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, V Muraleedharan and Ajay Bhatt, NSA Ajit Doval and several foreign dignitaries, including the ambassadors of Russia, France and Australia and the high commissioner of the UK, were at the event.
Defence minister Rajnath said the commissioning of INS Vikrant showed the NDA government’s resolve to ensure the safety and security of India for the next 25 years. “Vikrant is an assurance to friendly foreign countries that India is capable of meeting the collective security needs of the region,” he said.
Admiral Hari Kumar iterated the Navy’s aspiration “to become completely self-reliant by 2047” and remain a “combat-ready, credible, cohesive and future-proof force”.
Modi received a 100-strong ceremonial guard of honour to the accompaniment of the naval band on his arrival at the venue. He also interacted with the principal officers of INS Vikrant. Post-commissioning, there was a flypast by Dornier, ALH, SeaKing, Chetak and MiG-29 aircraft.
Watch PM Modi commissions India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant