Highlights: INS Vikrant, India's First Home-Built Aircraft Carrier, Commissioned By PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissions INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, to the Indian Navy. This is the second aircraft carrier of the country after INS Vikramaditya which was built.

"Earlier, security concerns in the Indo-Pacific region and Indian Ocean have long been ignored. But, today this area is a major defense priority of the country. That's why we are working in every direction, from increasing the budget for the Navy to increasing its capability, says PM Modi.

"Drop by drop of water becomes a vast ocean. Similarly, if every citizen of India starts living the mantra of 'Vocal for Local', then it will not take long for the country to become self-reliant," says PM Modi.

"When Vikrant descends to protect our maritime zone, many women soldiers of the Navy will also be stationed there. With the immense power of the ocean, boundless women power, it is becoming the lofty identity of New India. Now, the Indian Navy has decided to open all its branches for women. The restrictions that were there are now being removed. Just like there are no boundaries for strong waves, there will be no boundaries or restrictions for the daughters of India," says PM Modi.

"Today, on the historic date of September 2, 2022, another history-changing act has happened. Today, India has taken off a trace of slavery, a burden of slavery. Indian Navy has got a new flag from today. Till now the identity of slavery remained on the flag of Indian Navy. But from today onwards, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji, the new Navy flag will fly in the sea and in the sky," says PM Modi.

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built such a navy on the strength of this sea power, which kept the enemies sleepy. When the British came to India, they used to be intimidated by the power of Indian ships and trade through them. So they decided to break the back of India's maritime power. History is witness to how strict restrictions were imposed on Indian ships and merchants by enacting a law in the British Parliament at that time," says PM Modi.

"Every part of INS Vikrant has its own merits, a strength, its own development journey. It is a symbol of indigenous potential, indigenous resources and indigenous skills. The steel installed in its airbase is also indigenous," says PM Modi.

"Today India has joined those countries in the world, which manufacture such a huge aircraft carrier with indigenous technology. Today INS Vikrant has filled the country with a new confidence, has created a new confidence in the country," says PM Modi.

"If the goals are quick, the journeys are long, the ocean and the challenges are endless - then India's answer is Vikrant. The incomparable elixir of the elixir of freedom is Vikrant. Vikrant is a unique reflection of India becoming self-reliant," says PM Modi.

"Today, here on the coast of Kerala, India, every Indian, is witnessing the sunrise of a new future. This event being held on INS Vikrant is a shout out to India's rising spirits on the world horizon," says PM Modi. "(INS) Vikrant is massive, it's a giant. Vikrant is distinct, Vikrant is special. It is not just a warship but a testament to the hard work, talent, influence and commitment of 21st century India," he adds.

"Our mission is not only 'Make in India' but 'Make for the World'. Exports of more than $ 400 billion in the last year are proof of this," says Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.

"As we move rapidly towards a 5-trillion dollar economy, our share in global trade will increase in the times to come. If the share in global trade will increase, then a large part of it will inevitably be through maritime routes," he says.

"We believe in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. In this regard, our efforts are guided by the vision of the Prime Minister, 'SAGAR' i.e. 'Security And Growth for All in the Region'," the defence minister says.

INS Vikrant, the largest warship to be built in India set to be commissioned today, is 262 metres long and 62 metres wide. To put its size in figures easier to understand, the warship is as massive as two football fields end to end and 18 floors high, the Navy said in a video.