NEW DELHI: Defence minister
Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the
Indian navy maintained sustained pressure on Pakistan during
Operation Sindoor, forcing the neighbouring country's navy to remain confined to its ports throughout the military operation.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 'Nausena Shaurya Vatika', an open-air naval museum in Lucknow, Singh said the navy played a significant role in India's military response following the Pahalgam terror attack.
“The navy played a significant role in maintaining pressure on Pakistan during Operation Sindoor,” Singh said, according to news agency PTI.
“Our navy was deployed in the Arabian Sea with full preparedness and strength, maintaining constant pressure on the adversary. As a result, Pakistan's entire navy remained confined to its ports,” he added.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian forces carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The military confrontation ended on May 10 after both sides reached an understanding, following Pakistan’s DGMO's call to the Indian counterpart requesting a ceasefire.
Navy museum inaugurated in Lucknow
Singh made the remarks while inaugurating the Nausena Shaurya Vatika along with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Indian navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.
Developed jointly by the Indian navy and the Uttar Pradesh tourism department, the museum showcases the navy's legacy, operational capabilities and maritime achievements.
Calling the project a matter of pride, Singh said the facility would become both a centre of inspiration and a major tourist attraction for Lucknow.
“In the coming years, this facility will not only become a centre of inspiration for Lucknow but will also develop into a tourist hub and emerge as one of the city's defining landmarks,” he said.
Explaining why a naval museum was built in a landlocked city, Singh said maritime security affects every Indian citizen.
“The Indian Ocean is connected to our economy, trade and energy requirements. Those who safeguard it come from every village, town and city of India,” he said.
INS Gomati takes centre stage
A major attraction at the museum is the decommissioned warship INS Gomati, which was retired from service on May 28, 2022.
Highlighting the vessel's connection to Lucknow, Singh said, “Just as the Gomti river flows through the city and ultimately joins the Ganga and then the sea, INS Gomati brought honour to Lucknow while serving in the Indian Ocean.”
The museum also features the ship's anchor, main mast, propeller and CET-53M submarine obstacle equipment. Visitors can learn about maritime security, naval operations and the technological capabilities of the Indian navy.
Singh also announced plans to bring a submarine to the site in the future to further enhance the attraction.
Remarks on defence preparedness and exports
The defence minister used the occasion to highlight India's growing indigenous defence capabilities.
“Our defence manufacturing output has risen considerably. Before 2014, India's defence exports were worth less than Rs 1,000 crore. Today, we are exporting defence equipment worth nearly Rs 40,000 crore to countries around the world,” he said.
He also praised the Uttar Pradesh government, saying the state had undergone a major transformation under Adityanath's leadership.
Focus remains on Operation Sindoor
The minister's comments come amid continued discussion over the impact of Operation Sindoor and India's military preparedness.
In related remarks, army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Saturday that all three armed services were fully prepared for “Operation Sindoor 2.0” if required.
Dwivedi noted that while a temporary cessation of hostilities currently exists, the army, navy and air force are continuing preparations for future contingencies.
He said Operation Sindoor demonstrated the importance of integrated planning, real-time intelligence, precision targeting and joint operations across multiple domains.
“Operation Sindoor demonstrated that and set the benchmark when national will was expressed with precision and resolve, defining how Bharat responds to provocation,” the army chief said.
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