Mumbai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday commissioned India’s largest indigenously built warship “INS Kolkata” into the Indian Navy, describing it as “a symbol of our self-reliance in the field of defence”.
“INS Kolkata, entirely built in India, is a symbol of our self-reliance in the field of defence. It is a worthy example of the country’s technical abilities and will send a strong message around the world,” Modi said at the commissioning ceremony held at the naval base.
“Not only are we dedicating the warship, but we are also introducing to the whole world India’s technical prowess and defence capabilities,” Modi said at the ceremony attended by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Maharashtra Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. K. Dhowan.
Part of the Kolkata Class destroyers of the Indian Navy, INS Kolkata has been designed by the naval Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Docks Ltd (MDL), Mumbai.
The first in the series, which will include INS Kochi and INS Chennai, the 6,800-tonne INS Kolkata with an operating range of 15,000km, was delivered to the navy last month and commissioned on Saturday.
With this, no country would dare challenge India and the ship will boost the Indian Navy’s capabilities, the prime minister said, calling it “a historic day for India and its people.”
Modi said that his government has taken major steps to boost indigenous defence technology and it has been the country’s dream to achieve self-reliance in all areas.
Now, India has the potential to export defence technology to the rest of the world, which is a matter of pride for the country, he added, lauding the contribution of Indian designers, engineers, technicians and strategists who worked to make the country’s largest ever warship and strengthen the country’s maritime defence capabilities.
However, the prime minister made it clear that India doesn’t want a war. “But we have to be alert, prepared — INS Kolkata will ensure safety of the people of this country.”
Modi recalled the contribution of Maharashtra’s warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji and said he recognised the importance of “securing the seas for increasing trade and security.”
