New Delhi, Oct 23 (KNO): Describing ‘Operation Sindoor’ as India's message to the world that it is always ready to respond to every challenge, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday lauded the Indian Navy for its combat readiness.
Addressing top naval commanders in the national capital, the Defence Minister, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “The world witnessed the Indian Navy's strength during Operation Sindoor as its deterrent posture forced Pakistan to remain in the harbour or near its coast.”
He said that ‘Operation Sindoor’ has sent a clear message to the world that “India is capable” of giving a befitting reply to the enemy and would respond to every challenge.
Singh commended the Navy for creating a "deterrent posture" during the operation. “It forced Pakistan to remain in the harbour or near its coast,” he added.
The Defence Minister described the Indian Navy's presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) as a matter of "comfort for the friendly nations" and "discomfort for those who seek to destabilise the region".
Singh said the Indian Navy, through its multi-dimensional capabilities, has played a leadership role in the region.
"In the last six months, our ships, submarines and Naval aircraft have been deployed at an unprecedented scale. In addition, our Navy has provided safe passage to approximately 335 merchant vessels, equalling approximately 1.2 million metric tons of cargo and a trade value of USD 5.6 billion," he said.
This, he said, is proof that India has now become a trusted and capable partner in the global maritime economy.
Singh lauded the Indian Navy for enhancing its capabilities through indigenous equipment and emerging as the flag bearer of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
"In the last 10 years, nearly 67 per cent of the Navy's capital acquisition contracts have been with Indian industries. This proves that we are no longer dependent solely on imports," he said.
Singh said the Indian Navy is working on 194 innovation and indigenisation projects.
"Today, our Navy has become a pioneer in the country's self-reliance, innovation, and industrial development," he said—(KNO)