Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

‘Balakot, Galwan clear signals to aggressors’

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday called for greater synergy among the armed forces in military strategy and responses. While addressing graduates of the 59th National Defence College (NDC) course during their convocatio­n in New Delhi, he said the government’s bold approach on border disputes and terrorism has made India stronger.

“Threats to internal and external security will no longer be tolerated. Our actions in Balakot and Galwan are clear signals to all aggressors,” the minister said.

The world is witnessing destabiliz­ing implicatio­ns of terror, including the threat posed by radical forces attempting to gain legitimacy, Singh said. There is now a greater realisatio­n among nations to come together and combat terrorism, he said.

The NDC, he said, can play a key role in fostering a common understand­ing among friendly countries against terrorism and finding long-term solutions to deal with it.

Highlighti­ng the uncertaint­y of current geopolitic­s, specifical­ly in reference to latest developmen­ts in Afghanista­n, Singh said, “The only certainty about evolving geopolitic­s is its uncer

THE MINISTER EMPHASISED THE NEED TO DRAW LESSONS FROM THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTA­N

tainty. Changes in state boundaries may not be as frequent today. However, the fast-transformi­ng structure of states and the influence that external powers can have on it is clearly evident.” The minister emphasised the need to draw lessons from the situation in Afghanista­n, where the Taliban has seized power after the US armed forces withdrew from the country.

“Injustice, however powerful, cannot and will not defeat the collective power of the goodness that is inherent to human existence,” Singh said. “This sentiment is evident from an increasing number of world capitals, which have lent their voice in favour of liberalism, inclusivit­y and respect for internatio­nal norms of governance.”

 ?? ?? Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India