PM Modi meets Mahayuti MLAs over lunch in Mumbai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met MLAs of the ruling Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra over lunch in Mumbai reported news agency PTIThe luncheon meeting was held at the INS Angre auditorium a state government official said reported PTIChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar and most other MLAs of the ruling coalition of the BJP NCP Shiv Sena and their smaller allies were present sources told PTIThe Mahayuti alliance won 230 out of the 288 seats in the November 20 assembly elections last yearEarlier in the morning Indian Navy warships INS Surat INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer were commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai in the presence of PM ModiSpeaking after the commissioning of three naval warships PM Modi said India has always supported an open secure inclusive and prosperous IndoPacific regionA destroyer a frigate and a submarine were commissioned together for the first time on Wednesday he noted adding that all the three are Made in IndiaThe Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative has made the country strong and selfreliant the prime minister saidWe should become a global partner in securing the sea from drugs weapons and terrorism and make it safe and prosperous India is becoming a major maritime power and is being recognised as a reliable and responsible partner he saidIn the Indian Ocean region India has emerged as the first responder the prime minister notedPM Modi said India is going to play a major role in giving a direction to the global security economy and geopolitical dynamicsIt is important to protect the territorial waters freedom of navigation and secure trade supply lines and sea routes he saidPM Modi further said India is working for development and not expansionismHe said 33 ships and seven submarines have been inducted into the Navy in the last 10 yearsIndias defence production has crossed Rs 125 lakh crore and defence equipment have been exported to more than 100 countries he addedINS Nilgiri the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class represents a significant advancement over the Shivalikclass frigates INS Surat the fourth and final vessel of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class is a followon to the Kolkataclass destroyers INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine under the Scorpeneclass Project 75 It is a dieselelectric submarine designed for multiple roles including antisurface warfare antisubmarine warfare and intelligence gatheringWith inputs from PTI