India knows how to manage power responsibly: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 23, 2026) said India has proven itself as a determined nation and knows how to leverage its power, manage and use it responsibly.

Mr Modi was speaking at an event to celebrate Parakram Diwas, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

He said that it is difficult to achieve the goals of a weak nation, so Netaji Bose always dreamed of a strong nation.

“In the 21st century, India is also establishing itself as a strong and determined nation,” Mr. Modi told the program in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands via video conference.

He said that during Operation Sindoor, India responded by entering the houses of those who injured it and destroying them. “India today knows how to leverage its power, how to govern responsibly and how to wield power,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that following Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s vision of a strong India, the government is working to make the defense sector self-reliant.

“Earlier, India was solely dependent on arms imports from abroad, but today India’s defense exports have crossed Rs 23,000 billion,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that domestically produced BrahMos and other missiles attracted world attention. “India is modernizing its armed forces through the power of self-reliance,” Mr. Modi said.

He accused previous governments of insulting Bose’s legacy by not giving it due recognition.

“After independence, our nation’s history and achievements should have been celebrated and remembered with pride. But leaders in the government at that time were troubled by insecurity,” Mr. Modi said. he said.

“They tried to attribute credit for our freedom to just one family. As a result of these political interests, much of the country’s rich history has been neglected,” he said.

Mr. Modi stated that after Independence, the glorious history of Andaman and Nicobar Islands should be preserved, but those who came to power at that time had a sense of insecurity.

He stated that they wanted to limit the credit of freedom to only one family and that the history of the nation was ignored due to this political interest.

Mr Modi said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also remained true to their identity as colonial rule, with their islands still known by the names of British officers even 70 years after independence.

The Prime Minister said that his government has put an end to this injustice in history and hence Port Blair has now become the name ‘Shri Vijaypuram’ which reminds people of Netaji’s victory.

Similarly, other islands have also been renamed as Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Subhash Dweep, he said, adding that in 2023, 21 islands in the Andaman Islands will be named after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.

The Prime Minister said that names associated with slavery in Andaman and Nicobar have been erased and new names of free India have formed their identity.