GOA, JANUARY 04, 2026: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, during a visit to Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) today, declared that ships built by domestic yards for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) serve as “floating symbols of India’s sovereignty.”
Speaking on the eve of the commissioning of the Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) ‘Samudra Pratap,’ the Raksha Mantri emphasized that achieving Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defense sector is no longer a luxury but a strategic necessity in an increasingly complex global security environment.
He lauded GSL for its role in transforming this vision into reality through advanced indigenous design, technology absorption, and the timely delivery of critical maritime assets to the Armed Forces.
Addressing the evolving nature of maritime threats, Rajnath Singh noted that India must prepare for both traditional and non-traditional challenges, including narcotics trafficking, illegal fishing, and environmental crimes.
He underscored that as a proactive maritime nation, India is committed to ensuring stability and a rule-based order across the Indian Ocean Region. To maintain a competitive edge, he exhorted shipyards to integrate cutting-edge technologies, such as AI-enabled maintenance and cyber-secure platforms, into future vessels.
The Raksha Mantri also highlighted the importance of defense exports, citing GSL’s work for international clients as a stepping stone toward making India a net defense exporter and realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The event, attended by Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani, and GSL CMD Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, set the stage for the formal induction of ‘Samudra Pratap’ into the ICG fleet on January 5.
This new vessel, the first of two specialized pollution control ships built by GSL, represents a significant boost to India’s maritime environmental protection capabilities. The Raksha Mantri reaffirmed the government’s total support for enhancing the capabilities of Indian shipyards to ensure the nation remains a dominant and self-reliant maritime power.
