New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday conveyed Navy Day greetings to personnel of the Indian Navy and remarked that the force has become synonymous with exceptional courage and determination.

Writing on X, the prime minister noted that in the recent years, the Indian Navy has placed strong emphasis on self reliance and modernisation, and this has significantly strengthened the country’s overall security framework.

Navy Day greetings to all personnel of the Indian Navy. Our Navy is synonymous with exceptional courage and determination. They safeguard our shores and uphold our maritime interests. In the recent years, our Navy has focussed on self-reliance and modernisation. This has enhanced… pic.twitter.com/JxPqLiEc9x

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 4, 2025

Navy Day, observed annually on December 4, commemorates the naval force’s crucial role during the 1971 India Pakistan War. During Operation Trident, Indian missile boats carried out a bold offensive on the Karachi harbour, marking one of the most decisive maritime operations of the conflict.

Modi wrote that the Indian Navy safeguards the nation’s shores and protects the country’s maritime interests with remarkable commitment. He added that his experience spending Diwali this year with naval personnel on board INS Vikrant remains unforgettable, and he extended his best wishes to the Navy for its future endeavours.

INS Vikrant, along with frontline warships such as frigate INS Udaygiri and destroyer INS Kolkata, participated in an operational demonstration off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday evening. The event showcased advanced naval capabilities and was attended by President Droupadi Murmu.

The president, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, witnessed the demonstration from Shangumugham beach as part of the Navy Day celebrations. In a message on X on Thursday, she greeted serving personnel, veterans and their families, and said the nation salutes the men and women who guard maritime borders and protect national interests with dedication and vigilance. She highlighted the Navy’s contribution to strengthening trade routes, supporting the blue economy and leading humanitarian missions.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also extended greetings and reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to safeguarding India’s maritime interests. He stated that on the occasion of Navy Day, the force renews its pledge to uphold duty, honour and courage, and to remain combat ready, credible, cohesive and future ready as a self reliant maritime force that protects India’s interests across the seas at all times.

During his address at the operational demonstration a day earlier, Admiral Tripathi said that Navy Day honours the daring and decisive attacks conducted on and near the Karachi harbour during the 1971 war. He added that the occasion offers an opportunity to pay tribute to the naval personnel whose courage and sacrifice continue to inspire the service.

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He also said that Navy Day reflects India’s long standing maritime heritage, a legacy that continues to influence the nation’s strategic thinking and shape its course into the future.