Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "West Bengal will play a crucial role in the new maritime era that India is embarking on today. It has the potential for ports, the potential for industries, the talent, the skills, and the ability to take the maritime economy to new heights.
"I am confident that in the coming years, West Bengal will become a vital hub for India's blue economy, maritime manufacturing, logistics, and coastal development. India has always considered the sea a medium of cooperation, but India also knows that strength is equally essential for maintaining peace," he said on the occasion of Tri Commissioning ceremony of INS Agray, INS Dunagiri and INS Sanshodhak in Kolkata.
"Security is essential for safeguarding prosperity, and self-reliance is essential for building the future. Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak joined the Indian Navy, symbolizing this spirit."
"They symbolise an India that recognizes its potential in the 21st century, believes in its capabilities, and is constantly moving forward with renewed confidence and determination, brimming with speed, energy, and resolve before the world...", PM said.
Modi also said:
"Today India is strengthening its entire maritime ecosystem. Therefore, India is modernising its ports, creating new capacity, building new connectivity, expanding river waterways, and developing a multi-modal logistics network.
Initiatives like Sagar Mala are part of this broader vision. This is reducing trade costs, stimulating industries, and creating new opportunities in coastal areas...
"Defence equipment manufactured in India is now reaching more than 80 countries around the world. Much remains to be done on the journey towards self-reliance. In my opinion, this is just the beginning."
"But the progress made in the last twelve years shows how significant changes can be achieved in a country when policy is clear, when direction is right, and when we work together...", he said.
Modi further maintained:
"... There was a time when India was recognised as one of the world's largest defense importers. This dependence has posed both strategic and security challenges.
After forming the government in 2014, we resolved to change the situation. To this end, major policy reforms were implemented. Self-reliance in the defence sector has been prioritized.
As a result of these efforts, new possibilities have emerged for design, manufacturing, and export in the defense sector. Until 2014, the country's total defense production was around Rs 40,000 crore.
"Today, it has increased to approximately Rs 1,80,000 crore. While defence production in the country has grown rapidly, our defence exports are also growing at an unprecedented pace.
By 2014, India exported defense products worth approximately Rs 700 crore. Today, this figure has risen to nearly Rs 40,000 crore...", he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment