Visakhapatnam, Oct 5. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 5 praised the Indian Navy for emerging as a powerful maritime force capable of responding decisively to security challenges, while acknowledging the dedication of naval personnel and the sacrifices made by their families.
Singh was speaking at a Barakhana organised by the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, where he interacted with Navy personnel and their families and commended them for their contribution to safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
The Defence Minister said the event provided an opportunity to interact with the naval fraternity and convey the government’s appreciation for the commitment and professionalism of its personnel. He assured the personnel and their families of the government’s continued support and recognised their contribution to national security.
Singh said the Indian Navy’s capabilities were now widely recognised across the Indo-Pacific and praised its personnel for remaining committed to their duties under all operational and weather conditions while protecting the country’s maritime boundaries.
Recalling the Navy’s record of valour, he highlighted its role during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, particularly Operation Trident, during which Indian naval forces launched a successful attack on Karachi harbour.
The operation, he said, demonstrated that the Navy possessed not only the capability to defend India’s maritime frontiers but also the ability to project power and conduct offensive operations against an adversary when required.
Paying tribute to those who had displayed courage and made the ultimate sacrifice, Singh said their example continued to inspire successive generations of Indians.
Indigenous platforms strengthening maritime power
The Defence Minister said India was undergoing a significant transformation as a maritime power and that the Navy had kept pace with the changing security environment of the 21st century.
He pointed to the development and induction of increasingly sophisticated indigenous platforms, including aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, stealth frigates and Scorpène-class submarines, as evidence of the country’s growing naval capabilities and self-reliance.
However, Singh stressed that the Navy’s strength could not be measured merely by its warships, submarines and advanced technologies.
“The real strength of the Navy lies in the professionalism, patriotism, courage and commitment of its personnel,” he said.
He emphasised the government’s objective of ensuring that India’s waters reflected its growing maritime power, its warships embodied indigenous technology and its operations demonstrated the country’s increasing confidence and self-reliance.
Seas as an avenue for prosperity
Calling for a broader maritime vision, Singh said India needed to look beyond viewing the oceans solely as boundaries that had to be protected.
He advocated a philosophy of “advancing from the seas towards prosperity and power”, under which the oceans would also serve as avenues for economic development, strategic influence and national prosperity.
The Defence Minister described naval personnel as heroes and role models for India’s youth, saying they represented the country’s future, strength and pride.
He expressed confidence that their continued dedication would contribute significantly to India’s emergence as a stronger, more prosperous and self-reliant nation.
Families an integral part of defence service
Singh also underlined the crucial role played by the families of defence personnel, saying their contribution was often made away from the public spotlight.
While naval personnel remain deployed at sea in the service of the country, their families shoulder responsibilities at home and provide the emotional and practical support that enables them to perform their duties with dedication, he said.
The sacrifices of the personnel and their families together constitute a valuable national asset, Singh said.
Reflecting on the informal and familial character of the Barakhana, the Defence Minister said such gatherings help strengthen the bond between defence personnel, their families and the country’s military leadership.
He observed that sharing food was traditionally an expression of affection, trust and togetherness, with people inviting those close to them to share a meal.
In the same spirit, he said, the Barakhana symbolised the deep bond between the armed forces and the nation, bringing personnel, families and leadership together as part of one larger defence family.
Singh said the occasion reflected the fraternity, camaraderie and sense of belonging that bind India’s defence personnel, their families and leadership, reiterating that the strength of the armed forces rests not only on military capabilities but also on the commitment and sacrifices of the people who serve and support them.
