From Diyas To Decks: PM Modi’s Maritime Diwali On INS Vikrant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali on Sunday aboard INS Vikrant, the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, combining festive tradition with a salute to India’s growing maritime strength.

The occasion featured a ceremonial Steampast and Flypast, offering a spectacular display of the Indian Navy’s modern capability and precision at sea.

Sharing details on his X handle, the Prime Minister listed the vessels and aircraft that took part in the event.

INS Vikrant served as the review platform, while INS Vikramaditya, the site of the Combined Commanders’ Conference he attended a decade ago, also took part in the proceedings. 

The line-up of participating warships included:

• INS Surat – Commissioned earlier this year in Mumbai.
• INS Mormugao – Frontline guided missile destroyer.
• INS Chennai – Represented India at France’s Bastille Day celebrations in 2023.
• INS Imphal – Participated in Mauritius’s National Day events in 2025.
• INS Kolkata – Part of India’s Western Fleet.
• INS Tushil, INS Tabar, INS Teg, and INS Betwa – Advanced frigates reinforcing naval strength.
• INS Deepak and INS Aditya – Fleet tankers ensuring logistical support.
• The Flypast featured naval aircraft and helicopters, offering a stirring finale to the maritime display.

The aerial formation featured aircraft such as the Chetak helicopter bearing the national flag and naval ensign. It also included the MH-60R, Seaking, Kamov-31, Dornier, P8I, and MiG-29K, reflecting India’s expanding naval aviation power.

For the Prime Minister, celebrating Diwali on INS Vikrant was both symbolic and heartfelt, a tribute to the discipline, dedication, and courage of the Indian Navy.

By choosing the nation’s flagship carrier as the setting, Prime Minister Modi emphasised the central role of maritime security and the Navy’s importance in strengthening India’s defence posture.

The event also carried a sense of continuity, linking earlier milestones to present achievements.

The mention of INS Vikramaditya recalled his earlier engagement with naval leadership. The participation of new and internationally deployed vessels highlighted India’s expanding maritime reach.

As diyas glowed across the nation, the Prime Minister’s presence on INS Vikrant sent out a resonant message. India’s festivals are not just occasions of cultural celebration but also expressions of unity, confidence, and national pride.