New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) With nuclear-capable submarine INS Arihant successfully returning from deterrence patrol, India on Monday completed its nuclear triad achieving strike capabilities in air, land and sea, a feat Prime Minister Narendra Modi said is a "fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail".
Congratulating the crew of Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) INS Arihant, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Today is historic because it marks the completing of the successful establishment of the nuclear triad. India's nuclear triad will be an important pillar of global peace and stability."
"The success of INS Arihant enhances India's security needs. In an era such as this, a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour It is an open warning to the enemies of India and of peace that they better not indulge in any misadventure against India," Modi said.
The 6,000-tonne Arihant was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre at Visakhapatnam.
Launched on July 26, 2009 by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the submarine was commissioned in August 2016 after a series of extensive sea trials.
Modi said the successful completion of its deterrence patrol "gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail", and stressed that although India was a peaceful nation but it would not spare anyone who dares to provoke it.
He said with the nation achieving N-strike capabilities in deep sea along with air and land, it has established a credible deterrence and Arihant will contribute to the atmosphere of peace in the region.
"India is a land of peace. Values of togetherness are enshrined in our culture. Peace is our strength, not our weakness. Our nuclear programme must be seen with regard to India's efforts to further world peace and stability. Our atomic weapons are not part of any attack policy. The achievement is very important for peace, security and stability in Indo-Pacific region," Modi said.
Congratulating the armed forces, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pointed out that the feat paced India in the league of the "few countries that can design, construct and operate Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarines (SSBN)".
"Congratulations to the Indian armed forces, the entire scientific community and all involved in this tremendous achievement, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," she tweeted.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the newly-acquired capability would "go a long way in safeguarding our strategic and security interests".
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that India has yet again demonstrated "a firm commitment to peace and safeguarded our strategic and security interests".
