Internal linking helps in indexing your website on certain keywords but it has nothing to do with ranking

I may be wrong but what I believe that if you use contextual internal linking in your website, it will help google to index your website on your desired keywords but it has nothing to do with ranking.

Ranking will only come through backlinks or other off-page activities.

Quick indexing doesn't mean quick ranking

Ranking and indexing are two different concepts.

Please let me know whether I am right or wrong with an explanation. I will be grateful to you.