'INS Vikrant sent waves of fear across Pakistan': PM Modi celebrates Diwali with Navy — Key takeaways from his speech

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his tradition of celebrating Diwali with India’s armed forces on Monday, visiting the INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karwar.

During the visit, he interacted with Naval personnel aboard the aircraft carrier, praising their dedication and drawing a vivid comparison between the festival of lights and the courage of the soldiers. He addressed the Navy personnel onboard, delivered a speech and distributed sweets to the crew.

What PM Modi said

Here are the top quotes from PM Modi's speech:

• "Today is an amazing day. This scene is memorable. Today, on one side, I have the ocean, and on the other, I have the strength of the brave soldiers of Mother India."
• "Being close to you, feeling your breath, sensing your heartbeat, and seeing the sparkle in your eyes, I realised something profound. I slept a little early yesterday, which I normally don’t do. The reason I slept early was that after observing you all day, the sense of fulfilment I felt inside was not my own sleep, but the sleep of contentment"
• "It is my privilege to celebrate this sacred festival of Diwali among all you brave warriors of the Indian Navy. The night I spent yesterday on INS Vikrant is beyond words to describe.I saw the enthusiasm and joy on your faces. The way you portrayed Operation Sindoor through your songs was truly moving."
• "I extend my heartfelt Diwali greetings to the families of all you brave soldiers.Everyone wishes to celebrate Diwali with their family. I too have grown accustomed to spending this festival with my loved ones.That is why I have come among you — because you are my family. So that I too can celebrate Diwali with my own.And that is what makes this Diwali truly special for me."
• "The deep night over the sea and the sunrise that followed have made this Diwali truly special for me in many ways. Therefore, I once again extend my warm Diwali wishes to all of you. And from the valiant deck of INS Vikrant, I convey heartfelt Diwali greetings to every citizen of our nation."
• "The extraordinary coordination between our three services brought Pakistan to its knees in record time."
• "The Indian Navy is like the guardian of the Indian Ocean."
• "I was observing the strength of the military equipment. These large ships, aircraft that move faster than the wind, these submarines, they are impressive in themselves, but what makes them truly formidable is the courage of those who operate them. These ships may be made of iron, but when you board them, they become living, breathing forces of the armed services. I have been with you since yesterday. In every moment, I have learned something. When I left Delhi, I thought I would live this moment myself. But your hard work, penance and dedication are on such a high level that I could not truly live it. I did, however, gain an understanding of it. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to truly live this life."
• "Just a few months ago, we witnessed how the very name Vikrant sent waves of fear across Pakistan.Such is its might — a name that shatters the enemy’s courage even before the battle begins. This is the power of INS Vikrant."
• "The fear generated by the Indian Navy, the extraordinary skill displayed by the Indian Air Force , the bravery of the Indian Army, and the tremendous coordination among the three forces compelled Pakistan to surrender so quickly during Operation Sindoor.
• "The deep night of the ocean and the sunrise this morning have made my Diwali special in many ways... From the decks of INS Vikrant, I send Diwali greetings to the people of the country. Most importantly, heartfelt Diwali wishes to your families as well.
• "You all must remember the day our nation received its very own indigenous INS Vikrant. On that very day, the Indian Navy bid farewell to one of the greatest symbols of colonial legacy.Inspired by the valour and vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, our Navy adopted a new ensign that truly reflects our pride and identity.Today, INS Vikrant stands as a powerful symbol of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the spirit of Made in India."
• "Our goal is to see India counted among the world’s leading defence exporters. Over the past decade, our defence exports have grown more than thirty times. A major share of this achievement belongs to our dynamic defence start-ups."
• "Thanks to the valour and determination of our security forces, India has achieved a remarkable milestone in the past year — the near elimination of Maoist extremism. Today, the nation stands on the verge of complete freedom from Naxalism.Before 2014, nearly 125 districts were under the shadow of Maoist violence. That number has now fallen to just 11.For the first time, over 100 districts are celebrating Diwali free from the grip of Maoism."

People love celebrating Diwali with their families. And so do I, which is why every year I meet our army and security personnel who keep our nation safe. Happy to be among our brave naval personnel on the western seaboard off Goa and Karwar on Indian Naval Ships with INS Vikrant… pic.twitter.com/Pb41kQnMMR

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 20, 2025

PM's Diwali celebrations aboard INS Vikrant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew discreetly from Delhi to Goa before visiting the INS Vikrant, the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier off the coast of Goa. The entire journey and visit were carried out with a high degree of secrecy.

Onboard the INS Vikrant, PM Modi had a packed schedule of engagements. He visited the flight deck, surrounded by MiG-29K fighter jets, and witnessed an air power demonstration, including takeoffs and landings on a short runway both during the day and at night.

The Prime Minister also attended a vibrant cultural programme where officers and sailors performed patriotic songs, including one specially composed to commemorate the success of the Indian Armed Forces in Operation Sindoor. PM Modi was reportedly deeply moved by the performances.

He shared dinner with the extended families of naval personnel during the traditional Bara Khana and participated in a morning yoga session on the ship’s deck. The Prime Minister also witnessed a steampast and flypast display.