Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated three indigenously designed and built warships, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhan, and INS Agraya, to the nation at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that the stronger a nation's maritime power, the stronger its economic and strategic influence. He said India is moving rapidly in this direction and is continuously striving to strengthen its maritime capabilities.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Modi said that today, June 21st, is also celebrated as World Hydrography Day (WHD). It is a wonderful coincidence that on this day we commissioned India's most advanced hydrographic survey ship, INS Sanshodhan. He said that INS Agraya, INS Doonagiri, and INS Sanshodhan have been inducted into the Indian Navy.

PM Modi said that the world is witness to the fact that no nation can become a major power without maritime capability. The sea is linked to development, security, and prosperity. Today, most of the world's trade is conducted through sea routes. Vast networks connecting the world pass under the sea. In the future, vital minerals and new energy sources will also be connected to the sea. A country with strong maritime power will have equally strong economic and strategic influence. India understands this reality well. India is preparing itself for it.

In his address, PM Modi said, "Today's event is a testament to our capabilities and prowess. Some time ago, when we dedicated INS Vikrant to the nation, India announced a new chapter in its maritime prowess. It was a declaration of India's strength to the world."

He said that the journey from INS Vikrant to today is not just about new warships. It is about India's growing self-reliance. Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhanak are giving new impetus to that journey. PM Modi said that these three warships also symbolize three important resolutions of India. They were built in India, designed in India, and built with the talent of Indian industries, the skill of Indian engineers, and the hard work of Indian workers. This is the greatest strength of the new India.

He said that today, India no longer wants to remain a mere buyer in the defense sector. Our military power cannot become a market for the world. "My strength is not defined by being a global market, but by self-reliance. India wants to be a manufacturer, and the day we become manufacturers, we will also be decisive," he said. India is moving rapidly in this direction. Over 40 "Made in India" warships and submarines have joined the Navy in recent years. The Indian Navy gains a new force almost every few weeks. Currently, 45 major naval platforms are under construction. This is not just a number, but a testament to India's industrial capabilities and a sign of India's future.

Prime Minister Modi said that India's maritime sector has the potential to create millions of jobs in the coming years. This is why we don't consider the maritime sector merely an isolated sector. We see it as the employment engine of a developed India. A modern ship requires hundreds of tons of steel, electronics, machinery, thousands of components, and thousands of companies behind it. This clearly provides employment to thousands of young people.