Visakhapatnam: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accompanied by Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, officially unveiled INS Sandhayak at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam (Vizag) on Saturday.

Upon his arrival in Visakhapatnam for the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Sandhayak, the Defence Minister was greeted with a Guard of Honour.

During the commissioning ceremony, the Defence Minister emphasized the robustness and capabilities of the Indian Navy in ensuring security and facilitating trade.

"When we speak of our naval strength, the Indian Navy stands out as the primary responder for security in the Indian Ocean and Indian Pacific regions. Considering global trade, the Indian Ocean holds significant importance," remarked Rajnath Singh.

"Numerous vital choke points like the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Guinea are situated in the Indian Ocean, facilitating a substantial portion of international trade. However, these choke points are susceptible to various threats, with piracy being a prominent concern," Singh added.

Reiterating India's stance against maritime piracy and smuggling, the Defence Minister affirmed, "I want to reiterate that maritime piracy and smuggling will not be tolerated under any circumstances. This commitment reflects the ethos of New India."

"Our recent rescue of 80 fishermen underscores the resolve and capability of the Indian Navy. Our objective is to curb illegal fishing and prevent narcotics and human trafficking in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region through our strengthened naval presence," he further stated.

Meanwhile, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, addressing the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Sandhayak, expressed the Navy's dedication to fostering a self-reliant force in service of an empowered India.

The Navy Chief extended a warm welcome to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, highlighting the significance of his presence at the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Sandhayak.

Furthermore, Admiral R Hari Kumar underscored the Indian Navy's prowess in indigenous shipbuilding, noting the introduction of INS Sandhayak as the 34th addition to the Navy's fleet.

INS Sandhayak, a successor to its namesake that served in the Indian Navy from 1981 to 2021, marks the first of four advanced Survey Vessels. Launched on December 5, 2021, the new INS Sandhayak was formally handed over to the Indian Navy on December 4, 2023.

Indian Navy to Commission Latest Survey Vessel Sandhayak in Vizag on February 3