North News
New Delhi, December 9
The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Tushil (F 70), a new multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, in a ceremony attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The commissioning marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime strength and underscores the long-standing friendship between India and Russia.
In his address, Singh highlighted that the event reflected the growing defense cooperation between the two nations, which share mutual trust and a privileged strategic partnership. He also noted that the commissioning exemplifies India’s push for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), with increasing “Made in India” content in ships like INS Tushil, a testament to the successful collaboration between Russian and Indian industries.
Singh emphasized that the technical and operational ties between the Indian and Russian navies continue to strengthen, underlining the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to ensuring peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), citing the Navy’s role in curbing piracy, arms smuggling, and other illicit activities in key maritime routes.
Furthermore, Singh reiterated India’s pledge to providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the region. He emphasized the importance of India’s maritime policy, underpinned by the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), aimed at fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the IOR.
