New Delhi: In a major development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India has achieved the capability to launch nuclear attack from land, air and sea with the indigenously built INS Arihant nuclear submarine’s successful completion of its first deterrence patrol.

On the completion of the maiden patrol by INS Arihant, Modi held a meeting with the crew of the vessel and without naming Pakistan, said the “success of INS Arihant gives a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail”.

“Today is historic because it marks the completing of the successful establishment of the nuclear triad. India's nuclear triad will be an important pillar of global peace and stability,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

The Prime Minister broke the news to the country on the occasion of Dhanteras saying, “Dhanteras gets even more special! India’s pride, nuclear submarine INS Arihant successfully completed its first deterrence patrol!”

“I congratulate all those involved, especially the crew of INS Arihant for this accomplishment, which will always be remembered in our history,” he said.

Hinting at the security situation around the country along the China and Pakistan border, Modi said, “In an era such as this, a credible nuclear deterrence is the need of the hour.”

With the induction of INS Arihant, India can now respond to any nuclear attack on it from land using its Agni series missiles, through air using its fighter planes and the most credible medium is through underwater means using INS Arihant.

India has unilaterally decided to have a ‘no first use’ policy regarding nuclear weapons and has said that it will use nuclear weapons only if it is first attacked by such weapons by any adversary.

The DRDO is in the process of developing two missiles including the BO-5 and the K-4 which can hit targets from the ranges between 750 and 3500 km.

On achieving the nuclear triad, Modi said, “India is a land of peace. Values of togetherness are enshrined in our culture. Peace is our strength, not our weakness.”

Seeking to do away with any fear regarding India’s nuclear programme, the Prime Minister said, “Our nuclear programme must be seen with regard to India’s efforts to further world peace and stability.”

India is in the process of developing five boats under INS Arihant class submarines under which the first three would be of similar weight while the following two would be bigger and better in terms of capability.

India has taken more than two decades to complete this project but has become one of the few nations in the world to operate nuclear submarines.

While addressing the crew, Modi stressed on the significance of the successful deployment of INS Arihant for the completion of India's nuclear triad and congratulated the crew and all involved in the achievement which puts India among a handful of countries having the capability to design, construct and operate SSBNs.

Noting that indigenous development of the SSBN and its operationalisation attest to the country's technological prowess and the synergy and coordination among all concerned, the Prime Minister thanked them for their dedication and commitment in realising this pioneering accomplishment enhancing immensely the country's security.

The Prime Minister commended the courage and commitment of India's brave soldiers and the talent and perseverance of its scientists, whose untiring efforts transformed the scientific achievement of nuclear tests into establishment of an immensely complex and credible nuclear triad, and dispelled all doubts and questions about India's capability and resolve in this regard.

Modi stated that the people of India aspire for a 'Shaktimaan Bharat' (Strong India) and building a New India. They have strived tirelessly to overcome all challenges in this path, he said.

He stressed that a strong India will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of over a billion Indians and will also be an important pillar for global peace and stability, especially in a world full of uncertainties and concerns.