Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant off the Goa-Karwar coast on Monday, praising the indigenous aircraft carrier’s role during Operation Sindoor and highlighting India’s growing defense capabilities.
PM Modi celebrates Diwali
“INS Vikrant reflects the capability of India’s armed forces. Its very name gave Pakistan sleepless nights during Operation Sindoor,” the prime minister stated, describing the warship as “a testimony to 21st-century India’s hard work, talent, impact and commitment.”
He emphasized: “INS Vikrant is a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before a battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant.”
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "… Just a few months ago, we witnessed how the very name Vikrant sent waves of fear across Pakistan. Such is its might — a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before the battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant… On… pic.twitter.com/TL03Z9CFdg
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2025
Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks, the Navy was placed on high alert in the Arabian Sea. INS Vikrant, accompanied by 8-10 warships, led one of the Indian Navy’s largest real-time operational movements outside routine peacetime exercises, prompting Pakistani warnings amid fears of possible naval strikes.
Personal Experience
Reflecting on spending the night aboard, Modi said: “I learned the importance of living in the moment. Your dedication is so immense that I could not fully live it, but I have definitely experienced it. I can imagine how challenging it must be to live through this every day.”
#WATCH | "I am fortunate that this time I am celebrating this holy festival of Diwali among all you brave soldiers of the Navy", says Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he celebrates Diwali at INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar pic.twitter.com/Df1hKpbkma
— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2025
He added that witnessing the deep ocean at night and sunrise made his Diwali special: “Today, on one side I have infinite horizons, infinite sky, and on the other side I have this giant, INS Vikrant, embodying infinite powers. The glow of the sun’s rays on the ocean’s waters is like the Diwali lamps lit by brave soldiers.”
Defense Indigenization
PM Modi described INS Vikrant as a symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India success. He noted defense production has tripled over 11 years, with new warships or submarines joining the Navy approximately every 40 days.
He highlighted global demand for BrahMos missiles and expressed confidence India will soon rank among top defense exporters, crediting startups and indigenous defense units for driving transformation.
Maoist Violence Reduction
PM Modi stated India is nearing “freedom from Maoist violence,” noting affected districts reduced from 125 to just 11. “While 90 per cent success has been achieved, I’m confident that police forces will succeed in completely eliminating Maoist violence,” he said.
