Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with armed forces personnel aboard INS Vikrant, calling it a “remarkable moment” that symbolizes India’s strength and self-reliance. He described INS Vikrant as a proud emblem of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s growing defence capabilities, noting that it showcases the nation’s technological and strategic progress.

The PM praised the Navy, Air Force, and Army for their courage and coordination, highlighting India’s rapid strides in indigenous defence production, which has tripled in the past decade with over 40 warships and submarines delivered since 2014. He also lauded India’s emergence as a major defence exporter.

Modi recalled humanitarian missions like Operation Neer in the Maldives and relief efforts in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Africa, reaffirming India’s role as a global partner. He commended the forces for eliminating Maoist extremism, reducing affected districts from 125 to 11, and bringing peace and development to once-troubled regions.

Concluding his address, he hailed the armed forces as the pillars of national security and progress, declaring that their courage and service embody the spirit of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”