PM Modi's Diwali address on INS Vikrant: Operation Sindoor, defence exports and Maoist-affected districts down to 11
On 20 October 2025, addressing armed forces personnel on INS Vikrant, PM Narendra Modi said tri-service coordination forced Pakistan to surrender quickly in Operation Sindoor and that Maoist-affected districts have fallen from about 125 before 2014 to 11.
Summary
On 20 October 2025, PM Narendra Modi addressed armed forces personnel during Diwali on board INS Vikrant, which he called a symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Made in India. He said the coordination of the Navy, Air Force and Army forced Pakistan to surrender quickly during Operation Sindoor, and that the BrahMos and Akash missiles proved themselves in the operation, with several countries now keen to buy them. He recalled the decision to hoist the Tricolour on every island on Republic Day, which the Navy fulfils every 26 January, and mentioned India's MAHASAGAR maritime vision. He said that before 2014 about 125 districts were affected by Maoist violence; now only 11 are, and only 3 significantly.
Key facts
- Date & place
- 20 Oct 2025, on board INS Vikrant
- Operation Sindoor
- Tri-service coordination forced Pakistan to surrender quickly
- Missiles cited
- BrahMos and Akash
- Maoist-affected districts
- ~125 before 2014 → 11 now; 3 significantly affected
- Islands
- Tricolour hoisted on every island on 26 January
- Maritime vision
- MAHASAGAR
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which two missiles did PM Modi say proved their capabilities during Operation Sindoor, in his INS Vikrant address of October 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — BrahMos and Akash
PIB: the PM said missiles like BrahMos and Akash proved their capabilities during Operation Sindoor and several countries now want to buy them.
According to PM Modi's October 2025 address, how many districts are now affected by Maoist violence, compared with about 125 before 2014?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 11
PIB: before 2014 around 125 districts were affected; today the number has reduced to just 11, with only 3 districts significantly impacted.
Consider the following statements based on PM Modi's INS Vikrant address (October 2025): 1. The Navy hoists the Tricolour on every island of the country on 26 January. 2. Only 3 districts in India remain affected by Maoist violence in any form. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: the Navy fulfils the resolve of hoisting the Tricolour on every island on Republic Day; 11 districts remain affected, of which only 3 are significantly impacted.