The Indian Navy inaugurated its newest stealth-guided missile destroyer, the INS Imphal, on Tuesday at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh termed the ship "a shining example of the Make in India initiative in defense, demonstrating the dedication of the Indian Navy, MDL [Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders], and all other stakeholders to national security."
“INS Imphal is a symbol of India's growing maritime power and it will strengthen it further. It will bolster our principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
For his part, India's Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar stated that “INS Imphal possesses the distinction of being a shining symbol of the Indian Navy's unwavering dedication towards realizing the ideal of self-reliance in defense" and also termed it a testament to the government's ‘One India, Best India’ vision.
“INS Imphal will deter the various designs that try to harm national unity. It will breathe fire upon the enemy and demonstrate unflinching resolve in the face of adversity,” Kumar said.
The defense minister also commented on the recent suspected drone attack on the Chem Pluto ship in the Arabian Sea and the attack on Sai Baba in the Red Sea at the event.
“India's growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred," he claimed.
The Indian government has taken the attacks extremely seriously, he continued, and the navy has stepped up its surveillance. “The perpetrators of these attacks will soon be brought to justice and strict action will be taken against them,” he added.