INS Vikrant brought Pakistan to its knees within days during Operation Sindoor: PM Modi

INS Vikrant, which reflects the capability of India's armed forces, had brought Pakistan to its knees within days during Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.

Modi, while celebrating Diwali with the Indian Navy personnel onboard the warship off the coast of Goa and Karwar, also stated that INS Vikrant is a towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). 

"INS Vikrant is a towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India. Indigenous (Swadeshi) INS Vikrant, tearing through the oceans, is a reflection of India's military might," the PM noted. 

"Vikrant is huge, vast and panoramic. Vikrant is outstanding, Vikrant is also special”.

Built at an overall cost of close to Rs. 20,000 crore, INS Vikrant is India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier. The 262-metre-long warship has a full displacement of nearly 45,000 tonnes, which is significantly larger and more advanced than its predecessor. 

Modi also lavished praise on the armed forces, saying the extraordinary coordination among the three services compelled the neighbouring country to surrender during the military confrontation.

"The fear created by the Indian Navy. The amazing skill displayed by the Indian Air Force. The bravery of the Indian Army. The tremendous coordination of the three forces forced Pakistan to surrender so quickly in Operation Sindoor," he said.

Highlighting the recent boost in India’s defence production, the prime minister claimed that more than 40 warships and submarines have been built by the country’s shipyards since 2014.

He further took a veiled jibe at Islamabad, saying that the name ‘Brahmos’ strikes fear in some minds, and claimed that many countries are now keen to buy these missiles.

Brahmos had played a key role in India’s calibrated response to Pakistan’s aggression during Operation Sindoor, with several air bases in the neighbouring country suffering severe damage.