In the aftermath of India’s decisive response to cross-border terrorism during Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, on May 30, 2025. The visit was a strategic and symbolic move aimed at recognizing the crucial role of the Indian Navy, particularly INS Vikrant, in bolstering India’s security, while also serving as a powerful morale booster for naval personnel who played an active role in the successful military operation.

The Defence Minister's presence onboard INS Vikrant, deployed prominently during Operation Sindoor in the Arabian Sea, underscores India's growing maritime power projection. His visit followed similar morale-building missions to Srinagar, where he met with Army units, and Bhuj, where he interacted with Air Force officers, highlighting a holistic appreciation across India’s armed forces.

INS Vikrant's Crucial Role in Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy executed a forward deployment of a Carrier Battle Group (CBG) in the northern Arabian Sea, with INS Vikrant at the helm. This strategic move involved 8 to 10 supporting warships, including guided-missile destroyers and stealth frigates, designed to provide both offensive and defensive maritime capabilities.

The forward presence of INS Vikrant was a critical deterrent, clearly signalling to Pakistan that any escalation could trigger swift and precise retaliation, not only at sea but onshore as well. This strategic show of force forced the Pakistani Navy to remain confined to the Karachi Naval Base, unable to match the operational supremacy of India’s naval fleet.

Pakistan, recognizing its limited naval capabilities—with a fleet of fewer than 30 operational warships—found itself vulnerable in the face of India’s carrier-based air power and advanced missile systems. The Indian Navy’s show of strength ensured complete maritime dominance, which compelled Islamabad to seek a ceasefire, effectively acknowledging India’s superior strategic posture in the Indian Ocean Region.

Why Pakistan Fears INS Vikrant

The fear surrounding INS Vikrant within Pakistani strategic circles is not unfounded. As India’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, it represents a formidable multi-dimensional warfare platform. Equipped with fighter aircraft, helicopters, long-range sensors, and precision-guided weapon systems, INS Vikrant provides India the ability to launch offensive strikes on sea-based and land-based targets with precision and agility.

Its carrier battle group configuration ensures layered defence and coordinated assault capability, enabling simultaneous deployment of air, surface, and sub-surface warfare strategies. The mere deployment of INS Vikrant during Operation Sindoor neutralised Pakistan’s maritime manoeuvrability, confining its naval forces to port and forcing a recalibration of its naval engagement strategy.

The psychological impact of India’s sea-based deterrence through INS Vikrant was just as critical as its tactical implications. It underlined a doctrinal shift in India's defence posture, showing that maritime power will be central in retaliatory or pre-emptive actions in any future conflict scenario.

Significance of Rajnath Singh’s Visit

Rajnath Singh's visit to INS Vikrant serves multiple strategic and symbolic functions. Firstly, it conveys gratitude and national recognition to Indian Navy personnel who played a significant role during Operation Sindoor. Secondly, it projects political and strategic cohesion, indicating that India's civilian leadership is firmly aligned with its military strategy.

Thirdly, this visit sends a clear diplomatic message to adversaries and allies alike: India is ready, vigilant, and confident in its self-reliant military capabilities. This is especially important as India continues to indigenize its defence production, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Singh’s presence on the warship reinforces India’s resolve to defend its interests, not just at its borders, but across strategic waters, from the Strait of Hormuz to the Bay of Bengal. It also amplifies India’s readiness to act decisively in the face of cross-border terrorism and covert provocations.

INS Vikrant: A Symbol of Indigenous Defence Prowess

INS Vikrant, commissioned in September 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is a landmark achievement in India's defence manufacturing journey. Designed by the Indian Navy's in-house Directorate of Naval Design and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, INS Vikrant is a testament to India’s engineering capabilities.

The aircraft carrier weighs approximately 45,000 tonnes, has a top speed of 28 knots, and can carry a mix of MiG-29K fighter jets, advanced light helicopters (ALH), and Kamov helicopters. It boasts a ski-jump runway and STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Recovery) configuration, making it ideal for quick air power projection.

With 76% indigenous content, the warship has been a flagship project under India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative. Its construction employed over 500 Indian firms, generating jobs and significantly contributing to the Indian economy and defence ecosystem.

Strategic Implications for the Region

The deployment of INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea and its role in Operation Sindoor reflects a paradigm shift in India’s maritime strategy. It marks the evolution from a coastal defence force to a blue-water navy capable of global reach and swift strategic mobility.

As tensions simmer between India and Pakistan and with China expanding its influence through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and aggressive naval activities in the Indian Ocean, India’s investment in naval firepower like INS Vikrant is critical. It ensures India remains the dominant maritime power in South Asia.

Moreover, such advancements contribute to maritime security cooperation with friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific, bolstering India’s image as a responsible naval force capable of both humanitarian assistance and hard-power projection.

Conclusion

Rajnath Singh’s visit to INS Vikrant after the resounding success of Operation Sindoor is more than a ceremonial gesture—it is a clear assertion of India’s strategic readiness, naval supremacy, and indigenous defence capability. The visit reflects India’s acknowledgment of the centrality of naval power in modern warfare and its determination to counter threats from land and sea.

As Pakistan grapples with internal instability and limited naval resources, and as China expands its regional footprint, India’s ability to deploy powerful assets like INS Vikrant provides not just deterrence, but also strategic leverage in any future confrontation. In the current geopolitical context, INS Vikrant is not just a warship—it is a symbol of India's resilience, deterrence, and maritime dominance.

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