Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday commissioned three indigenously designed and built naval ships – INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray during his visit at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port in Kolkata.
Prime Minister Modi focused on India’s naval power and indigenous defense production under the ‘Make in India’ programme.
“No one can ignore the importance of sea power. No country can become a superpower without it. Oceans are linked to security, prosperity and development. Most international trade is done on sea routes. Data networks are being laid on seabeds. In the coming days, important minerals, deep-sea resources and new energy sources will also be connected to the oceans. Countries that control the seas will prosper. India is well aware of this and is preparing for this,” he said.
Modi also referred to the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which is the Navy’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier.
“When we introduced INS Vikrant to the nation a few years ago, we announced India’s self-sufficiency in maritime power to the world… Today, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray add speed to that journey,” he said.
“These three ships symbolize India’s three approaches to self-reliance. They have been designed and manufactured here and the manufacturing process involved entirely indigenous components, the expertise of Indian engineers and the work of Indian workers. This is the greatest strength of the new India,” Modi said.
“India no longer wants to be a buyer in the international defense sector. Our military power cannot become a market for the world. Recognizing our defense capabilities cannot serve as a buyer in the global market, but rather is an acknowledgment of our self-reliance,” he said.
The Prime Minister told the audience that India aims to emerge as a major player in the international defense market.
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“India wants to become a manufacturer. The day we become a manufacturer, we will also be the ones to decide. We are moving rapidly towards this direction. In recent years we have produced more than 40 marine vessels and 45 more offshore platforms are under construction… In the coming years, India’s maritime sector can create millions of jobs….”
Modi said that medium, small and micro enterprises played an important role in the recent projects.
“More than 200 MSMEs contributed to the three ships commissioned today. We can imagine the employment opportunities generated by these 200 MSMEs. Many repairs have been carried out in recent years in the field of shipbuilding, repair and recycling. $Rs 70,000 crore package announced for shipping sector…”
“There was a time when India was considered the largest importer of defence… That is why the government prioritized self-reliance in defense after its formation in 2014. India’s total defense production till 2014 included approx. $40,000 Crores. It has now increased to $1,80,000 crores. Our defense exports have also doubled. Until 2014, our defense exports represented only… $700 Crores. The amount is about to touch $40,000 Crores. Indian defense equipment is sent to around 80 countries.
He focused on the role of Bengal in the history of maritime trade and shipping industry in India.
“We have a lot to achieve in self-reliance. This is just the beginning. The progress we have seen in 12 years shows that change can be achieved if work is done in the right direction. Bengal will be an important hub for India’s blue economy, maritime manufacturing, logistics and coastal development,” Modi said.
He also led the celebration of the 12th International Yoga Day (IYD) at Red Road in Kolkata on Sunday morning.
On Saturday, take part in the Paschimbanga Divas or West Bengal Day celebrations at Tarakewar in Hooghly district. He also launched and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects related to agriculture, social welfare, and infrastructure development.
