Visakhapatnam: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 26 said Bharat has never believed in aggressive expansionism, but asserted that the country knows how to respond when its security is threatened.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of two multi-mission stealth frigates, Udaygiri and Himgiri, in Visakhapatnam, Singh underlined the importance of strengthening maritime preparedness amid evolving regional challenges.
“Our objective is not power projection. India has never believed in aggressive expansionism. The whole world knows that we have never attacked any country first, nor have we ever tried to provoke anyone. But this does not mean that we will ever back down. When our security is threatened, we know how to give an appropriate response,” the Defence Minister said.
हमारा उद्देश्य शक्ति प्रदर्शन नहीं है। भारत कभी भी Aggressive Expansionism में भरोसा नहीं करता। पूरा विश्व जानता है कि हमने कभी किसी देश पर पहले हमला नहीं किया। हमने कभी किसी को उकसाने की कोशिश नहीं की। लेकिन इसका मतलब ये भी नहीं है, कि हम कभी पीछे हट जाएँ। जब हमारी सुरक्षा पर…
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 26, 2025
Highlighting India’s strategic location, Singh said the maritime domain directly affects the country’s economic development.
“If we look at the western region of India, from the Arabian Sea to the Middle East and the Eastern Africa seaboard, we can observe a wide range of naval activities. Our energy requirements — oil and natural gas — depend to a large extent on the security of this region. Therefore, the role of the Navy is not limited to patrolling the seas alone, but it also serves as a major pillar of our national economic security,” he said.
He added that similar challenges exist in the eastern flank, where “the power play unfolding in the Indian Ocean repeatedly reminds us to stay alert.”
Citing Operation Sindoor, Singh praised the Navy for showcasing its rapid deployment capability. “During Operation Sindoor, our armed forces showed the whole world how we can act when the need arises. The Indian Navy’s planning and execution for the quick deployment of warships was highly effective during that operation,” he said.
Warfare evolving rapidly, need to anticipate new threats
Noting that warfare is changing very rapidly with new technology and weapons appearing in every conflict, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said there is a need to anticipate emerging threats and continue to create new solutions.
The Union Minister said old ways of thinking will not work in today’s times, and stressed the need to think in directions “that have so far been unexplored and unexpected.”
“In today’s times, rapid changes are taking place in the triangle of warfare, with every conflict showcasing some new technology, new strategy, and new equipment. With wars constantly changing in this manner, it has become necessary for us not only to keep ourselves updated, but also to think in directions that have so far been unexplored and unexpected,” the Defence Minister said.
He added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has prioritised research and development in the defence sector.
आज के दौर में पुरानी सोच से काम नहीं चलेगा। हमें नए threats को भी anticipate करना है और नए solutions भी बनाते रहना है। प्रधानमंत्री जी के नेतृत्व में हमारी सरकार ने भी यही समझा है और defence sector में research and development को priority दी है। पहले जो high-tech equipment सिर्फ…
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) August 26, 2025
“Earlier, high-tech equipment was available only with a handful of countries, but now we ourselves are designing and manufacturing it. Today, we are strengthening our armed forces with a futuristic vision,” Singh said.
Highlighting India’s growing self-reliance, the Defence Minister said the country is now protecting not just land, sea, and sky, but also space, cyberspace, economic space and social space.
“Self-reliance is no longer just a slogan; it is becoming a ground reality. This has been made possible by the hard work of our scientists, the officers of all our armed forces, and every individual who works day and night with dedication. That is why today we are witnessing things which seemed impossible a few years ago becoming possible,” he added.
The Defence Minister emphasised India’s maritime strength, he said, “India is fully capable of safeguarding its maritime boundaries and is prepared to respond swiftly and decisively under any circumstances. Friends, with the commissioning of these two warships, the Indian Navy has been further strengthened as a true Blue Water Navy.”
Singh said the Indian Navy is now equipped not only to secure coastal areas but also to operate in the farthest reaches of the Indian Ocean.
“We are now equipped not only to secure our coastal areas but also to operate in the farthest reaches of the Indian Ocean — whether it is combating piracy, tackling smuggling and illegal activities, countering maritime terrorism, or providing relief in the aftermath of natural disasters. With their advanced features and multi-role capabilities, our warships will enable swift and effective action in every situation,” he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
