Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at the commissioning of the advanced stealth frigate Taragiri, in Visakhapatnam on Friday. CDS General Anil Chauhan also present. | Photo Credit: ANI

Building a strong and capable Navy is not merely an option but an absolute necessity, as approximately 95 per cent of the country’s trade is conducted through maritime routes and its energy security is dependent on the sea, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

He was speaking after the commissioning of INS Taragiri, the fourth potent platform of the Project 17A class, into the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

India, with a coastline stretching over 11,000 kilometres and surrounded by the sea on three sides, cannot view its development in isolation from the ocean, Singh said.

Stating that the Indian Navy was maintaining a round-the-clock presence across the Indian Ocean region amid global uncertainties, the Union Minister said: “The vast expanse of the ocean contains numerous sensitive points where our Navy has consistently maintained an active presence to ensure the smooth flow of goods. Whenever tensions flare, the Indian Navy steps in to guarantee the security of commercial vessels and oil tankers.”

National interests

The Navy was not only safeguarding India’s national interests but was also prepared to take every necessary measure to protect the country’s citizens and trade routes across the globe, he said.

“It is this capability that firmly establishes India as a responsible and formidable maritime power,” he added.

In the modern digital era, the vast majority of the world’s data travels through undersea internet cables, and any damage to them could disrupt global order, Singh said, calling for a shift beyond the traditional perspective on maritime security towards a comprehensive, future-ready framework.

“We must not limit ourselves to safeguarding our coastlines; we must also ensure the security of critical sea lanes, choke points and digital infrastructure that are inextricably linked to our national interests. The Indian Navy is proactively engaged in all these security endeavours,” Singh said.

“Whenever India constructs and deploys advanced vessels such as INS Taragiri, it serves as a guarantee of peace and prosperity for the entire region,” he added.

Described as a masterclass in modern naval shipbuilding, the latest stealth frigate, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes, has been designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with the support of MSMEs for multi-role operations.

It uses advanced stealth technology to achieve a significantly reduced radar signature, providing a lethal edge in contested environments, according to a release.

Published on April 3, 2026