North News
Mumbai, January 15
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday called the commissioning of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer a historic milestone, highlighting their role in strengthening India’s naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Rajnath Singh emphasised the strategic and economic importance of the IOR, noting that 95% of India’s trade is linked to the region. He stressed the growing relevance of the area in global power dynamics and the need for a strong naval presence to combat illegal activities, including terrorism and trafficking.
The minister also reaffirmed the government’s focus on achieving self-reliance in defence, stating that over 75% of the components of INS Surat and INS Nilgiri are indigenously developed. He pointed out that the modernisation of India’s defence sector is advancing rapidly, with a balance between large domestic platforms and cost-effective, high-impact systems.
Singh further confirmed 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ for the Ministry of Defence, pledging to implement significant reforms to enhance India’s defence capabilities.
Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, expressed confidence that these platforms will bolster the Indian Navy’s capacity to safeguard maritime interests. The Prime Minister, who attended the ceremony, was presented with a Guard of Honour and unveiled the commissioning plaques onboard the vessels.
