Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday continued his tradition of celebrating Diwali with soldiers, visiting INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar.
Addressing the armed forces personnel, PM Modi praised the extraordinary coordination between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force during Operation Sindoor, saying their collective strength and synergy compelled Pakistan to surrender.
&ldquo;The fear created by the Indian Navy, the amazing skill of the Air Force, and the bravery of the Army &mdash; the coordination among the three forces forced Pakistan to surrender so quickly in Operation Sindoor,&rdquo; he said.
Highlighting the significance of INS Vikrant, the Prime Minister called it a &ldquo;towering symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India)&rdquo; and &ldquo;a reflection of India&rsquo;s growing military strength.&rdquo;
&ldquo;INS Vikrant is not just a warship but a testimony to 21st-century India&rsquo;s hard work, talent, impact, and commitment. Vikrant is vast, panoramic, and truly exceptional,&rdquo; he said.
During his Diwali celebrations onboard the aircraft carrier, PM Modi said it was a moment of pride to spend the festival among the Navy&rsquo;s brave warriors.
&ldquo;Today is a memorable day. On one side, I see the ocean; on the other, the strength of Mother India&rsquo;s brave soldiers. The glow of the sun&rsquo;s rays on the ocean looks like Diwali lamps lit by our warriors,&rdquo; he remarked.
The 262-metre-long INS Vikrant, with a full displacement of nearly 45,000 tonnes, is the largest and most advanced warship ever built in India. 
Powered by four gas turbines generating 88 MW, it can reach speeds of up to 28 knots.&nbsp;
Built at a cost of around ₹20,000 crore by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the project advanced through three contracts with the Ministry of Defence signed in 2007, 2014, and 2019.
Laid down in 2009 and launched in 2013, Vikrant boasts 76% indigenous content, exemplifying the Make in India initiative.&nbsp;
With its delivery, India joined a select group of nations capable of designing and building aircraft carriers domestically.
Equipped with advanced automation for machinery, navigation, and survivability, Vikrant can operate around 30 aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 and MH-60R helicopters, and indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (Navy).
Last year, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with troops near the Indo-Pak border in Kutch, continuing his tradition of spending the festival with the armed forces.

PM Modi celebrates Diwali aboard INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant symbolizes India’s military strength, says PM Modi

PM Modi Celebrates Diwali Aboard INS Vikrant

INS Vikrant symbolizes India’s military strength, says PM Modi

October 20, 2025 | 20:45 IST