The commissioning of INS Nirdeshak, the second of India’s indigenously built Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships, on 18 December 2024, is a strategic development that highlights a less-discussed but increasingly critical aspect of naval power: the undersea battlespace.
As India continues to strengthen its naval footprint in the region, any effort by Bangladesh to challenge this balance of power risks pushing the smaller nation into vulnerability and irrelevance.
As Navy Day 2024 unfolds, the Indian Navy stands at the forefront of India’s strategic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. This celebration of maritime strength is a poignant reminder of the Navy’s evolution into a force that secures India’s maritime interests and contributes to regional stability and global security.
The Indian Navy’s leadership within QUAD, exemplified by its pivotal role in Malabar exercises, reinforces a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. By countering regional threats, fostering maritime cooperation, and addressing non-traditional challenges, India positions itself as a stabilizing force and a key player in advancing shared security and economic objectives across the region.
India successfully tested the nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from INS Arighaat, marking a significant leap in its strategic defense capabilities. With a range of 3,500 km, the missile enhances India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence. Coupled with the recent approval of indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), this development underscores the nation’s push towards maritime self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. These advancements position India as a formidable force in the Indo-Pacific.
