Visakhapatnam, October 5, 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with Indian Navy personnel during a traditional ‘Badakhana’ at Visakhapatnam, praising the force for its growing operational reach and its contribution to safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
Addressing Navy personnel on the occasion, Singh described the Indian Navy as one of the most powerful naval forces in the world and highlighted its increasingly prominent presence across the Indo-Pacific region.
“The Indian Navy is counted among the most powerful navies in the world. The Indian Navy is making its presence felt across the Indo-Pacific region,” the Defence Minister said.
Singh also lauded the Navy’s record of responding whenever India or the international community has required assistance, pointing to its wider role beyond conventional maritime security.
“I am also proud that whenever the nation and the world have needed it, our Navy has always fulfilled its duty,” he said.
The Indian Navy has emerged as a key instrument of India’s maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific, undertaking missions ranging from maritime security and anti-piracy patrols to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and evacuation operations.
Visakhapatnam is a strategically important naval hub on India’s eastern seaboard and serves as the headquarters of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command.
The ‘Badakhana’, a traditional gathering in the Armed Forces where officers and personnel share a meal together, also provided the Defence Minister an opportunity to interact directly with sailors and acknowledge their service and commitment.
Singh expressed pride in the professionalism and dedication of Indian Navy personnel and underscored the force’s important role in protecting the country’s maritime interests while contributing to security and stability across the wider Indo-Pacific region.
