NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday commissioned two advanced multi-mission stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, at the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam, marking a major boost to the country’s maritime strength.Indirectly, referring to the United States, Rajnath said, “One country has the F-35 (fifth-generation fighter jet) flying in the air, while the Indian Navy has built the ‘F-35 warship.’ INS Udaygiri sails the seas with ‘Made in India’ technology.”“Today you have launched the indigenous F35 warship. One nation has a flying F-35 and you have built a floating F35, that too Made in India,” he added.Highlighting the growing importance of maritime power, the defence minister said the geo-strategic situation to India’s west had a direct bearing on the country’s economic growth. He stressed that the Navy’s role was not confined to protecting the seas but extended to safeguarding national economic security.“The geo-strategic situation here (western region) is such that it also has the ability to directly influence our economic development. Our energy requirements, oil, natural gas, all depend on the security of this region to a great extent. Therefore, the role of the Navy is not only limited to the protection of the sea, but it is also a major pillar of our national economic security,” he said.On the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which Indian tourists were killed, Rajnath said the country had responded firmly. “The attack on our innocent people was a challenge for us, but India gave an effective and precise response through ‘Operation Sindoor‘,” he said, describing it as a crossborder military offensive targeting terror havens in Pakistan. “I want to say that the Operation Sindoor is not over, it is only on pause.”Reiterating India’s policy of peace but preparedness, the minister said, “India has always given the message of peace to the world. India never wages war from its side. History shows it. If anyone poses a challenge to the country’s peace and security then we know to give a befitting reply and will continue to do so.”He pointed out the challenges in the Indian Ocean, where global power rivalries often intersect. “The power play going on in the Indian Ocean frequently alerts us. Here interests of several countries clash. And due to this, there is a need for India to strengthen its maritime preparedness,” he said.Speaking on the Navy’s long journey in indigenous warship design, Rajnath said it took nearly 50 years for the Warship Design Bureau to reach 100 ships, but expressed hope the number would double in the next 25 years.On the new frigates, he said, “Commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri is a dream come true towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. I can say with confidence that both these warships will prove to be a milestone in the country’s security.”“These warships will not only strengthen the security system, but will also naturally strengthen humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions,” he added.He further said, “I believe that their commissioning in the Indian Navy is a step that will strengthen our neighborhood first and mutual and holistic advancement for security and growth for all in the region.”According to Rajnath, the induction of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri demonstrates that India is “fully capable of protecting its maritime borders and is ready to react immediately in any situation.”“The Indian Navy not only guards coastal areas, but also keeps peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region,” he said.The minister underlined that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the defence sector had been prioritised and modernised. “Hi-tech equipment which only few countries used to possess earlier, India is now designing and manufacturing them,” he said, adding that INS Tamal would be the last foreign-built ship to join the Indian Navy.Rajnath said the armed forces were being strengthened with a futuristic vision, and the commissioning of INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri would significantly enhance the Navy’s strength, reach and resilience.“These warships are modern and very important systems,” he said. “I am confident that they will prove to be a game-changer in very complex and risky operations in the sea.”