India is trying to become a manufacturer in the defense sector, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the commissioning ceremony in Kolkata on June 21, 2026. Photo: X/@narendramodi
Emphasizing that no nation can become a major power without strong naval capabilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 21, 2026) commissioned three indigenous naval ships in Kolkata.
Mr. Modi commissioned INS Dunagiri, an advanced stealth frigate; INS Sanshodhak, Survey Ship (Large); and INS Agray, an anti-submarine warfare shallow vessel to the Indian Navy and described the event as an important milestone on the way to “Aatmanirbhar Bharat, a secure India and a developed India”.
“A country whose maritime power is robust, its economic and strategic influence will be equally strong. India is preparing for this,” the prime minister said, adding that development and prosperity are linked to the oceans as global trade moves through sea lanes.
The Prime Minister stated that India does not wish to remain only a buyer in the defense sector. “The strength of a nation’s military cannot be measured by its dependence on global markets, but by its ability to become self-sufficient. India is striving to become a producer and manufacturer, as nations that produce become decisive players on the global stage,” he added.
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Milestone for Indian Maritime Security! He was speaking at the Tri Commissioning Ceremony of INS Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak in Kolkata. @indiannavyhttps://t.co/obmbDiY4T0
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2026
Highlighting recent achievements in the country’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities, Mr. Modi noted that more than 40 indigenously built warships and submarines have been inducted into the Indian Navy over the past few years.
Addressing an event at Calcutta’s Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, which coincided with the 12th International Day of Yoga, the Prime Minister said the government does not see the maritime sector as an isolated industry but as a major engine of employment and economic growth for developed India.
Mr. Modi emphasized that the time had come for India to enter the next phase of maritime development, and the government had adopted a new vision for the shipbuilding industry and had introduced several policy reforms in recent years to improve domestic manufacturing capacity.
“The ₹70,000 crore stimulus package announced for the shipping industry is not just an economic measure but an investment in India’s maritime future and industrial expansion. Initiatives like Sagarmala reflect this comprehensive vision and help reduce logistics costs, accelerate industrial growth and create new opportunities in coastal regions,” he said.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on social media that the triple commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Agray and INS Sanshodhak in the presence of PM Modi will be a “defining moment in the development of India’s naval capabilities”.
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said at the event that the three projects have also created many new records. He pointed out that INS Dunagiri is the fifth warship of the Project 17A Frigate program and comes loaded with the latest combat capabilities, while INS Sanshodhak is the fourth Sandhayak class hydrographic survey vessel and INS Agray is the fourth Arnala class ASW shallow vessel.
“Last year in Bombay, our Prime Minister presided over the very first Tri-Commission in Independent India. Today, just 17 months later, this second Tri-Commission in Calcutta shows that India’s warship-building capability is gaining new speed in terms of modern technology, confidence and self-confidence,” Admiral Swaminathan said.
Published – 21 Jun 2026 10:30 AM IST