PM Modi celebrates Diwali with Navy personnel onboard INS Vikrant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with naval personnel onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikrant,  off the coast of Goa and Karwar, which he described as a towering symbol of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). Modi arrived here on Sunday evening and boarded the home-built aircraft carrier off the coast of Goa. The entire journey was done in a discreet manner, sources said. While onboard INS Vikrant, the prime minister went to the Flightdeck, surrounded by MiG 29K fighter aircraft. He witnessed the takeoff and landing of MiG 29 fighter jets on a short runway of the aircraft carrier, both during the day and in the dark night.

From the Air Power Demo at INS Vikrant! pic.twitter.com/XvrFL9peOK

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2025

Interacting with the naval personnel, PM Modi expressed his gratitude for being able to celebrate the festival of lights with the soldiers and had dinner with the extended family of naval personnel during the Bara Khana. On Monday morning, Modi joined a Yoga Session on the deck of INS Vikrant.

People love celebrating Diwali with their families. And so do I, which is why every year I meet our army and security personnel who keep our nation safe. Happy to be among our brave naval personnel on the western seaboard off Goa and Karwar on Indian Naval Ships with INS Vikrant… pic.twitter.com/Pb41kQnMMR

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2025

Addressing Navy personnel, he said  said, “Our missiles like BrahMos and Akash have proved their capability in Operation Sindoor as well. The name BrahMos itself is so renowned that just hearing it makes many people anxious, wondering if BrahMos is coming.” PM Modi added that several countries are keen to acquire these missile systems. “Whenever I meet experts, they all express the same desire: they too want access to them,” he said. He also highlighted the rapid pace of domestic shipbuilding, noting that, on average, a new indigenous warship or submarine is being inducted into the Navy every 40 days, reflecting India’s swift progress in defence manufacturing.

The extraordinary coordination between our Armed Forces brought Pakistan to its knees in record time.

I once again salute the brave hearts of the Indian Armed Forces.

When the threat is real and conflict seems possible, the advantage always lies with those who can stand and… pic.twitter.com/Mv1FG6eKLo

— BJP (@BJP4India) October 20, 2025

The 262-meter-long INS Vikrant has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes, making it significantly larger and more advanced than its predecessor. Powered by four gas turbines totaling 88 MW, the carrier has a maximum speed of 28 knots. Built at an overall cost of nearly Rs 20,000 crore, the project progressed through three phases of contracts between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited, initiated in May 2007, December 2014, and October 2019. The ship’s keel was laid in February 2009, followed by its launch in August 2013.

The carrier is equipped with advanced automation for machinery operation, ship navigation, and survivability, and can accommodate a mix of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, including MIG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy). The prime minister has been celebrating Diwali with the armed forces since 2014.