India, July 11 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned INS Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, into the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet, marking a major milestone in India's push for defence self-reliance and indigenous warship construction.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) in Visakhapatnam in the presence of senior naval officers and other dignitaries.

Addressing the event, Singh said INS Mahendragiri significantly enhances India's maritime capabilities and can effectively counter threats from the air, surface and underwater domains.

"INS Mahendragiri can effectively counter threats from the air, enemy vessels on the surface and submarines beneath the sea. As a blue-...