Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday commissioned three indigenous naval warships – Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak – in Kolkata, describing the event as a major milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance, maritime strength and the vision of a developed nation.
Addressing the Tri-Commissioning Ceremony in Kolkata, PM Modi said the induction of the three naval warships reflected India’s growing capabilities in defence manufacturing and maritime security. He emphasised that all three vessels were designed and built in India, showcasing the country’s engineering expertise, industrial capacity and skilled workforce.
“A country is powerful when it is Atmanirbhar,” the Prime Minister said, adding that India is preparing itself for a self-reliant and developed future by strengthening its maritime capabilities.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the seas, PM Modi noted that maritime power is closely linked to a nation’s development, security and prosperity. He said global trade, data connectivity, critical minerals and future energy resources are increasingly dependent on the oceans, making maritime strength a key determinant of economic and strategic influence.
“The world is witness to the fact that no nation can become a major power without maritime capabilities. The sea is linked to development, security, and prosperity,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the commissioning of INS Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak marked another chapter in India’s maritime journey that began with the commissioning of the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. He described the three vessels as symbols of India’s commitment to self-reliance, innovation and indigenous defence production.
Stressing the government’s focus on domestic manufacturing, PM Modi said India no longer wishes to remain merely a buyer in the global defence market.
“Today, India no longer wants to remain a mere buyer in the defense sector. Our military power cannot become a market for the world. My strength is not determined by being a global market; the strength of my power is determined by my self-reliance. India wants to be a manufacturer. And the day we become manufacturers, we will also be decision makers,” he said.
The Prime Minister revealed that more than 40 Made-in-India warships and submarines have joined the Indian Navy in recent years, while 45 major naval warships are currently under construction. He said this demonstrated the rapid expansion of India’s defence-industrial base and its growing technological capabilities.
PM Modi also highlighted the economic potential of the maritime sector, describing it as a major employment generator. He noted that shipbuilding supports a vast ecosystem involving steel, electronics, machinery and thousands of ancillary components, creating jobs across industries.
“India’s maritime sector has the potential to create millions of new jobs in the coming years. We see it as the employment engine of a developed India,” he said.
PM Modi pointed out that more than 200 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to the construction of the three naval warships commissioned on Sunday, generating significant employment opportunities.
He said the government has launched a new vision for the shipbuilding sector, supported by policy reforms and measures to boost domestic manufacturing. Shipbuilding, ship repair, ship recycling and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities are now being pursued as a national mission, he added.
Referring to the ₹70,000-crore stimulus package announced for the shipping sector, PM Modi said the initiative was an investment in India’s maritime future and industrial expansion.
He also highlighted efforts to modernise ports, expand river waterways and strengthen multimodal logistics networks through initiatives such as Sagarmala, aimed at reducing trade costs and creating new opportunities in coastal regions.
On defence manufacturing, the Prime Minister said India has made significant progress since 2014, when the government prioritised self-reliance in the sector. He noted that India’s annual defence production has increased from around ₹40,000 crore in 2014 to nearly ₹1.8 lakh crore today.
Defence exports have also witnessed substantial growth, rising from around ₹700 crore before 2014 to approximately ₹40,000 crore at present, with Indian-made defence equipment now reaching more than 80 countries.
“There’s still much to be done on the journey to self-reliance. I think this is just the beginning,” PM Modi said, while expressing confidence in India’s future trajectory.
The Prime Minister also underscored West Bengal’s historic maritime significance and its potential to play a key role in India’s emerging blue economy. He said the state possesses the ports, industries, talent and skills needed to become a major hub for maritime manufacturing, logistics and coastal development.
“India is moving towards a new maritime era. West Bengal will play a crucial role in this,” he said.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said India has always viewed the seas as a medium of cooperation but recognises that strength is essential for preserving peace and safeguarding prosperity.
“Security is essential for safeguarding prosperity. And self-reliance is essential for building the future,” he said, adding that the newly commissioned naval warships symbolise a confident India that believes in its capabilities and is moving forward with renewed determination in the 21st century.
PM Modi commissions three indigenous naval warships, says maritime strength key to Viksit Bharat
Reviewed by SBR
on
June 21, 2026
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Reviewed by SBR
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June 21, 2026
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