New Delhi: Asserting that India will not spare anyone who tries to hurt its unity, integrity and sovereignty, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said India’s borders, with China and Pakistan are “fully secure”.
Noting the bold approach and unwavering resolve of the government, Singh said that national security is the top priority of New Delhi, and the countrymen need not fear anything.
The reassurances from Rajnath came amid the heightened tensions along the line of actual control (LAC) in Ladakh. Rajnath himself had chaired a high-level meeting earlier this month with Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Brigadier B D Mishra wherein the government had decided to expedite infrastructure projects along the LAC, besides enhancing the communication and connectivity, as India gears up to put up a strong security apparatus in place to counter any untoward advances from China.
On Thursday, the Defence Minister said that India’s borders are “fully secure” and Indian forces are guarding the Line of Control with Pakistan and Line of Actual Control with China.
“Our borders are fully secure. Whether it was the standoff with China or ill intentions from Pakistan, our armed forces have been giving a befitting reply, whenever required,” said Rajnath, while addressing a conclave in New Delhi.
Our armed forces have proven time and again that we are strong; India is no longer weak, said Rajnath.
“India’s neighbours, some of which use terrorism as a tool, are well aware of the fact that India never harms anyone unnecessarily, nor does it spare anyone who tries to hurt its unity, integrity and sovereignty,” said Rajnath.
“The surgical strikes against terrorism have broken the back of terrorists. A strong and clear message has gone to the world that India has the strength and it can strike (against terrorism) on its own soil, and if need be, on their (foreign) soil as well,” he said, adding that this was the result of strong will of the government.
He credited bold approach and unwavering resolve of the government, which has ensured secured borders and battle-ready armed forces backed by a self-reliant defence industry.
Terming national security as government’s top priority and self-reliance as the only medium to achieve it, he asserted that relentless efforts are being made to attain ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.
It may be recalled that Rajnath-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently approved capital acquisition of a plethora of indigenously-developed military hardware including indigenous BrahMos missiles, marine diesel engine, artillery gun system, electronic warfare suits and utility helicopters at a cost of Rs 70,584 crore as part of a mega procurement plan.
The go ahead to the fresh procurement proposals came amid the nearly three-year standoff along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh with China.
Speaking at the conclave, Rajnath listed out some of the steps taken by the Ministry of Defence, including notification of positive indigenisation lists; earmarking of record 75 per cent of defence capital procurement budget for domestic industry in financial year 2023-24 and efforts to provide local companies access to international market.
Singh said the domestic defence production has witnessed a significant increase in the last few years.
“We are not only catering to our own needs, but are also exporting weapons and equipment to other countries.
From Rs 900 crore, about seven-eight years ago, defence exports have skyrocketed and are nearing Rs 14,000 crore in the current financial year. Our target is by 2026, it should be worth Rs 40,000 crore,” he said.
Pertinently, following the eastern Ladakh border standoff, the government stepped up efforts to build roads, tunnels, bridges, permanent defences, helipads and habitats for troops along the nearly 3,488-km-long LAC.
Singh further said that India has led the world on issues like terrorism and has been successful in garnering support to eliminate the menace.
From secure borders and self-reliance to a strong economy and transformed global image, India is rising as one of the “strongest countries” under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the defence minister said.
He termed the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as another example of the strong will of the government, asserting that the Union territory has ushered in a new era of peace and progress due to the decision.
“One can assess this from the fact that Congress party while carrying out its ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ did not face any difficulty. The Yatra left Kashmir without any issue,” he said.
He described India’s diplomacy as another facet of rising India and said the presidency of G-20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) this year is proof that India’s stature is continuously growing on the world stage.
