'India won't be mere buyer': PM Modi commissions 3 frontline ships

'India won't be mere buyer': PM Modi commissions 3 frontline ships KOLKATA/NEW DELHI: In a boost to the country's naval power, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday commissioned two indigenous frontline warships - advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri and anti-submarine shallow water craft INS Agray - and one large survey vessel, INS Sanshodhak, into the Indian Navy in Kolkata, saying that the country "does not want to remain a mere purchaser" and was steadily building its own maritime and manufacturing capabilities. Stressing self-reliance in the maritime sector, the PM said, "A nation's economic and strategic influence are directly linked to its maritime prowess...The day India becomes a Nirmata (creator), it will also become a Nirnayak (decider)," and congratulated Navy, engineers and workers on the achievement.Noting that more than 40 indigenously built warships and submarines have been inducted into the Navy over the past few years, Modi said nearly every few weeks, Navy has received a new capability. Forty-five major naval platforms are currently under construction.“Development, security and prosperity are closely linked to the oceans. Most of the world’s trade moves through sea routes, while vast global data networks operate beneath the oceans,” he said. Critical minerals, deep-sea resources and future sources of energy will increasingly be connected to maritime domain, he said.The PM said his govt has adopted a new vision for the shipbuilding sector and has introduced several policy reforms in recent years to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities. End of Article [Image text:] RI-COMMIS ONING INS DUNAGIRI,INS SANSHO QINSAGRAY ON21JUNE