India is aiming to expand its navy to over 200 ships within the next decade, according to News - South China Morning Post. This move is seen as a response to China's growing naval presence and Pakistan's acquisition of advanced Chinese-built submarines. The recent commissioning of the stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri and submarine hunter INS Malvan marks a significant step towards achieving this goal.
The commissioning of these domestically built warships is viewed as evidence of India's ability to scale up its naval capabilities, as noted by the South China Morning Post. Prime Minister Modi has also highlighted the INS Mahendragiri as a symbol of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', or self-reliant India, as reported by the Times of India. The exact timeline and details of the expansion plan are not specified, but the move is seen as a strategic response to regional security concerns.
The expansion of India's navy is significant in the context of the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean, with China's growing naval presence and Pakistan's military modernization posing challenges to Indian security interests.