Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Commissions INS Sandhayak in Visakhapatnam

Defense News ,India :-  In a significant event at the Naval Dockyard, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, officiated the commissioning of INS Sandhayak on Saturday. The ceremony began with the Defence Minister's early-morning arrival in Visakhapatnam, where he was accorded a Guard of Honour.

During his address at the commissioning ceremony, Rajnath Singh emphasized the formidable strength of the Indian Navy, positioning it as the primary responder for security in the Indian Ocean and the Indian Pacific region. He underscored the global significance of the Indian Ocean in trade, highlighting choke points like the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea as vital areas for international commerce, albeit fraught with threats, particularly from pirates.

Asserting India's stance against maritime piracy and smuggling, Singh declared, "I will again say that people involved in maritime piracy and smuggling will not be tolerated under any circumstances; this is the pledge of new India." He lauded the Indian Navy's recent rescue of 80 fishermen and outlined the Navy's growing role in combating illegal fishing, narcotics, and human trafficking in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, also addressing the commissioning ceremony, expressed the Navy's commitment to shaping a balanced 'Atmanirbhar Force' in service of an ascended Bharat. Admiral Kumar welcomed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and highlighted the Navy's prowess in indigenous warship and submarine construction over the years.

Introducing INS Sandhayak as the 34th addition to the Navy's assets, Admiral Hari Kumar disclosed that it is the first of four advanced Survey Vessels. The vessel, a new iteration of its predecessor that served from 1981 to 2021, was launched on December 5, 2021, and officially delivered to the Indian Navy on December 4, 2023. The commissioning marks a significant milestone in India's naval capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding maritime interests and enhancing regional security.