Prime Minister Modi's Diwali Tradition: Celebrating with Armed Forces from Kargil to INS Vikrant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands on the flightdeck of INS Vikrant with MiG-29 fighters in the background off Goa's coast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained his yearly tradition of spending Diwali with India's armed forces, choosing to celebrate this year's festival of lights with Navy personnel aboard INS Vikrant off the shores of Goa and Karwar (Karnataka) on Monday.

This tradition reflects the Prime Minister's gesture of solidarity as he visits military personnel stationed in some of India's most challenging environments, from the snow-covered heights of Kargil to the desert expanses of Jaisalmer.

Here's a chronological overview of where Prime Minister Modi has celebrated Diwali with the armed forces over recent years and the messages he conveyed during these visits.

In 2024, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel near the Indo-Pak border at Lakki Nala in Gujarat's Kutch region on October 31. He visited a Border Outpost in the Creek area, distributing sweets to security personnel. The Prime Minister emphasized the Navy's crucial role in securing the strategic Kutch coastline, which faces significant threats. He described Sir Creek as symbolizing India's territorial integrity, noting it had previously been a target of enemy provocations. Modi also acknowledged the vigilance of the armed forces and recalled their decisive response during the 1971 war.

For Diwali 2023, on November 12, the Prime Minister addressed soldiers at Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh. He highlighted the Indian Armed Forces' role in evacuation missions that assisted both Indian nationals and foreigners. Modi specifically mentioned the successful evacuations from conflict-affected Sudan and rescue operations following the earthquake in Turkiye.

In 2022, PM Modi spent the festival with armed forces in Kargil on October 24. He emphasized that throughout every conflict with Pakistan, Kargil had consistently raised the Tricolour in victory. The Prime Minister shared that having witnessed the Kargil War closely, the experience had profoundly affected him.

During Diwali 2021, Prime Minister Modi joined the armed forces in Nowshera district of Jammu and Kashmir on November 4. He stated that Nowshera's history embodies India's bravery while its present reflects the courage and determination of its soldiers. Modi observed that the region has consistently resisted aggressors and encroachers. He honored local heroes including Brigadier Usman and Naik Jadunath Singh, while also recognizing Lt. RR Rane and other servicemembers who demonstrated exceptional valor and patriotism. The Prime Minister commended the stationed Brigade for their role in surgical strikes and expressed his relief when all soldiers returned safely from their mission.

For Diwali 2020, celebrated on November 14, PM Modi joined soldiers at Longewala in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer, honoring their sacrifices. He commemorated the battle of Longewala, describing it as a milestone of strategic planning and military valor. Modi remarked that during this period, Pakistan revealed its "ugly face" through the terrorization of innocent Bangladeshi citizens. He added that Pakistan's subsequent military action on the western border was an unsuccessful attempt to divert international attention, as Indian forces responded robustly.

In 2019, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with Indian Army soldiers at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on October 27. The Prime Minister visited the 'Hall of Fame' in Rajouri to pay tribute to the brave soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives protecting the Rajouri and Poonch sectors. He characterized the Hall of Fame as "Parakram Bhoomi, Prerna Bhoomi, Paavan Bhoomi." Later that day, Modi also visited Pathankot Airbase to meet with Indian Air Force personnel.