Rajnath Singh Showcases Naval Might Aboard INS Vikrant After Operation Sindoor Success

On Friday, shortly after the successful completion of Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, highlighting India’s growing maritime power. This wasn’t just a ceremonial visit—it was a strategic display of strength directed especially at Pakistan, which has grown increasingly cautious of India’s advancing naval capabilities. INS Vikrant is currently deployed in the Arabian Sea.

The visit came just weeks after INS Vikrant, leading the Indian Navy’s Carrier Battle Group, played a decisive role in Operation Sindoor. During his time on board, Singh reviewed the operational outcomes of the mission and interacted with the naval personnel involved in the deployment. His presence is seen as a major morale booster for the forces following the operation’s role in pressuring Pakistan to de-escalate tensions.

Operation Sindoor: A Turning Point for Indian Naval Strategy

Recently concluded, Operation Sindoor was a show of force in the northern Arabian Sea. At the center of the operation was INS Vikrant, leading a formidable fleet of 8 to 10 warships, including stealth-guided missile frigates and destroyers. Their coordinated maneuvers sent a powerful deterrent signal to Pakistan.

INS Vikrant’s Role in Operation Sindoor

The Indian Navy advanced its Carrier Battle Group, led by INS Vikrant, into forward positions in the northern Arabian Sea during Operation Sindoor. This deployment served as a clear warning to Pakistan that any provocation would result in a direct and powerful response—targeting not just enemy warships, but also key land-based installations. As a result, the Pakistani Navy reportedly refrained from venturing out of its Karachi base, eventually seeking a ceasefire.

Why Pakistan Fears INS Vikrant

Pakistan’s fear of INS Vikrant is well known. With a modest navy comprising fewer than 30 warships, Pakistan stands no match against Vikrant’s full battle group. The aircraft carrier’s capabilities extend beyond naval combat; its fighter jets and missiles can also conduct precision strikes on land targets. During Operation Sindoor, Vikrant’s forward deployment effectively kept the Pakistani Navy docked in Karachi.

Why Rajnath Singh Visited INS Vikrant

Rajnath Singh’s visit to INS Vikrant was aimed at both celebrating the success of Operation Sindoor and boosting the morale of naval personnel. Prior to this, he had visited Army personnel in Srinagar and Air Force officers in Bhuj. His presence aboard the carrier served as a strong message of India’s maritime strength and reaffirmed the country’s defense posture.

About INS Vikrant

Commissioned into the Indian Navy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2022, INS Vikrant was built at a cost of around ₹20,000 crore. Designed in-house by the Indian Navy and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, this 45,000-ton warship is 76% indigenous—a symbol of India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

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