Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali on Sunday with security personnel at the CoBRA Operations Base in Karanpur, Bastar, Chhattisgarh, saying every district in the country is now free of Naxalism. The visit marked the 13th consecutive year he has spent the festival with defence or security forces.
The base served as a training centre and launchpad for counter-Naxal operations in Bastar and Abujhmad, areas that were once considered major strongholds of the Maoist insurgency. Addressing the personnel, Modi said he had come on behalf of 140 crore Indians to express the nation's gratitude for their sacrifice, dedication and spirit of service.
Modi described Diwali 2026 as a historic occasion, the first festival of lights after the country ended decades of Maoist violence. He said millions of citizens had left behind the fear of Naxal violence, a achievement he credited largely to the security forces. He also said that for the first time in 47 years, not a single CRPF personnel had lost their life on duty during the past year.
The Prime Minister said internal security is essential to national strength. Quoting an ancient Sanskrit maxim, he argued that external enemies cannot harm a nation whose internal security is strong, while threats emerge when internal security weakens. He placed the role of security forces within the country on the same footing as that of the armed forces at the borders.
Modi said the success against Naxalism should be a foundation for larger national goals rather than an endpoint. "Today's achievements inspire us, but this is not the end of the journey," he said, adding that the time had come to live for the nation and raise it to new heights.
The visit was also marked by Modi sharing an image on X, writing that Diwali is sweeter with those who protect the nation, and by his distribution of sweets to the personnel. He recalled earlier Diwali celebrations with soldiers in Kargil, Lepcha in the Himalayas, Sir Creek on the coast and aboard INS Vikrant, with the festival having been spent with forces on 12 occasions between 2014 and 2025.