- Says “Naval preparedness shows growing synergy among armed forces, India’s evolving security strategy”
Lucknow : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the Indian Navy maintained strategic pressure on Pakistan during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ ensuring the neighboring country’s naval forces were locked down during the conflict.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Nausena Shaurya Vatika—an open-air naval museum in Lucknow—Singh highlighted the Navy’s crucial role following the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives. In response to that attack, Indian armed forces had launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7 last year, striking terrorist camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
During his address, the Defence Minister said “The Navy remained deployed with full operational readiness in the Arabian Sea and exerted continuous pressure on the adversary,” Singh said. “As a consequence, Pakistan’s naval assets largely remained confined to their ports.”
Singh, who was joined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, explained that the inland museum aims to boost public awareness about how maritime security directly impacts India’s economy, trade, and energy interests. He noted:
“The security of the oceans is linked to the prosperity of every citizen. Sailors who protect India’s maritime interests come from all parts of the country, including inland regions,” he said.
A major attraction at the museum is the decommissioned warship INS Gomati, whose preserved components are on display. Singh also emphasized India’s significant growth in indigenous defence manufacturing and exports over the past decade, while praising Uttar Pradesh’s recent development trajectory.
