Delhi, August 31, 2022: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the new naval flag for the Indian Navy in Kochi on September 2 on the sidelines of the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The new naval flag will do away with the colonial past since the Saint George’s Cross will be entirely removed.
“This change will be befitting the rich Indian maritime heritage”, Modi said.
The St. George’s cross has been a part of the Indian flag since 1928, except for a brief spell between 2001 and 2004 when the Hindu nationalist government of the time replaced it with a blue Indian navy crest.
However, in 2004, the ensign was again changed back to the Red George’s Cross as there were complaints that the new flag was indistinguishable because the blue of the Navy crest merged with the skies and the sea.
Most Commonwealth countries retained the Red George’s Cross at the time of their independence, but several have done away with it on their respective naval ensigns over the years. Prominent among them are Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
PM Modi will reveal the new design on Friday in Kerela at the commissioning of INS Vikrant, signifying the “self-reliance” of India.
