New naval ensign unveiled by PM Narendra Modi in Kochi

According to news agency ANI, the occasion was attended by luminaries including Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The Indian Navy’s new Naval Ensign (flag) was revealed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in Kochi, concurrent with the commissioning of the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, at Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

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Speaking at the event, Singh said, “Indian Navy is always ready as the first responder to national and international level of crises. With the commissioning of INS Vikrant, the capability of the Indian Navy will be further strengthened.”

The current naval ensign, which has the Saint George’s Cross with the Tricolor in the canton, will be replaced with the new one (top left corner of flag). The Indian Navy’s pre-Independence ensign, which had the red George’s Cross on a white background and the Union Jack of the United Kingdom in the top left corner, is largely replaced by this one. The new ensign’s design has not yet been made available to the public.

The Indian defence forces continued to use the British colonial flags and emblems after Independence on August 15, 1947, and it wasn’t until January 26, 1950 that a switchover to an Indianized pattern was made. The sole modification made to the Navy crest and flag was the substitution of the Tricolor for the Union Jack while keeping the George’s Cross.