Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India will be "nirnayak," or decisive, in the maritime sector during a ceremony in Kolkata [1].
This shift toward indigenous manufacturing aims to increase strategic autonomy and create employment by reducing reliance on foreign naval technology. The initiative positions India's industrial capacity as a primary engine for regional maritime influence.
Speaking at the launch of three indigenous warships in West Bengal, Modi said that India aspires to be "Nirmata" — a creator — to become "Nirnayak" [2]. He said that the country is currently constructing 45 large naval platforms [1].
The Prime Minister highlighted the scale of domestic production, noting that about 40 Made-in-India warships have joined the Navy in recent years [2]. This growth reflects a broader government strategy to localize defense production and strengthen the domestic shipbuilding industry.
Modi said the maritime sector is essential for the nation's security and economic growth. By expanding the fleet through local shipyards, the government intends to secure sea lanes and project power more effectively across the Indian Ocean region.
The ceremony in Kolkata served as a showcase for the country's growing ability to design and build complex naval vessels. These platforms are intended to modernize the fleet and ensure that India can maintain a decisive presence in contested waters [1].
“India will be ‘nirnayak’ in the maritime sector.”
The emphasis on becoming 'nirnayak' signals India's intent to move from a buyer of foreign naval assets to a self-sufficient producer. By scaling the construction of large platforms and increasing the volume of indigenous warships, India is attempting to mitigate supply-chain vulnerabilities and establish a dominant strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific region.
