Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali on Sunday aboard India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with personnel of the Indian Navy off the Goa coast, sources said. This year’s Diwali with the Navy continues his decade-long tradition of spending the festival with India’s uniformed services.
His message to the “men in white”, which is expected to highlight Operation Sindoor — India’s counterstrike to the Pahalgam terror attack — was delivered onboard the aircraft carrier, the sources added.
While aboard INS Vikrant, the Prime Minister had a packed schedule of engagements, officials said. He visited the flight deck, surrounded by MiG-29K fighter aircraft, and witnessed an air power demonstration that included takeoffs and landings of the fighters on the short runway — both in daylight and after nightfall.
He also attended a cultural programme where naval officers and sailors performed patriotic songs, including one composed to commemorate the success of the armed forces in Operation Sindoor. Later in the evening, he joined personnel and their families for dinner during the traditional Bara Khana.
On Monday morning, Modi participated in a yoga session on the deck of INS Vikrant, followed by a ceremonial steam-past and fly-past. He addressed Navy personnel onboard, exchanged greetings, and distributed sweets.
Since taking office in 2014, Modi has made it a tradition to spend Diwali with members of the armed forces — from Siachen and Sumdo to Rajouri, Kargil and Sir Creek — as a gesture of solidarity with those serving on the country’s frontlines.
2024 – Sir Creek (Gujarat)
The Prime Minister spent Diwali with troops stationed at Sir Creek, continuing his tradition of celebrating the festival with personnel guarding India’s frontiers.
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2023 – Lepcha (Himachal Pradesh)
Modi marked the festival with troops in Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh, reaffirming his message of solidarity with soldiers deployed in remote regions.
2022 – Lepcha (Himachal Pradesh)
Modi marked the festival with troops in Lepcha, Himachal Pradesh, reaffirming his message of solidarity with soldiers deployed in remote regions.
2021 – Nowshera (Jammu & Kashmir)
“I feel privileged that I got to spend Diwali with our brave soldiers in Nowshera, not as Prime Minister but as a member of their family,” he said while meeting troops along the LoC.
2020 – Longewala (Rajasthan)
At the site of the 1971 war battle, the PM saluted soldiers’ bravery, saying India’s Diwali “shines bright because of its soldiers.”
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2019 – Rajouri (Jammu & Kashmir)
Visited troops along the LoC as Infantry Day was observed, his first Diwali in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370.
2018 – Harsil (Uttarakhand)
Celebrated with Army and ITBP personnel near the India-China border; later offered prayers at Kedarnath temple.
2017 – Gurez Valley (Jammu & Kashmir)
Exchanged sweets and greetings with troops, saying he wished to spend Diwali “with his family — the jawans.”
2016 – Sumdo (Himachal Pradesh)
Visited troops near the India-China border amid heightened border tensions; spent over three hours interacting with personnel.
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2015 – Khasa (Punjab)
Visited the Dograi War Memorial in Amritsar to mark 50 years of the 1965 war, calling the troops “the reason India is respected worldwide.”
2014 – Siachen (Ladakh)
Spent his first Diwali as Prime Minister with soldiers at the Siachen Glacier, saying, “The nation sleeps in peace because you are awake.”
