“BrahMos Name Alone Makes Some Nervous”: PM Modi’s Diwali Address
On the occasion of Diwali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed personnel of the INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa, where he highlighted India’s growing defence-manufacturing strength. He stated that home-grown missile systems like the BrahMos and Akash had played pivotal roles during operational deployments, and remarked: “When some people hear the name BrahMos, it strikes fear in their minds.”
Defence exports and naval prowess
Modi said that India is advancing rapidly as a defence-exporting nation and noted that more than 40 warships and submarines have been built by Indian shipyards since 2014. He characterised INS Vikrant as a symbol of “21st-century India’s hard work, talent and commitment”, and reiterated the Navy’s role as the “guardian in the Indian Ocean”.
Message to deterrents
The remarks carried a dual purpose: congratulating the Navy on its achievements and sending a message of deterrence to regional adversaries. By referencing the BrahMos system’s psychological impact on “some people”, the Prime Minister underscored India’s long-range strike capabilities and the fact that indigenous defence systems are gaining global notice.
