Armed forces strong enough to hit back any external aggression: Rajnath
NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for India to be ready for war at all times in view of multiple security challenges and asserted that the armed forces are well-equipped and capable of giving a befitting reply if anyone casts an evil eye on the country.
Singh’s comments in response to a question at a defence conclave came amid the nearly four-year border row with China in eastern Ladakh and concerns over Chinese military forays into the Indian Ocean. “We have to be prepared for war at all times. Even in times of peace, our preparation should be proper,” he said at NDTV’s defence summit.
Singh was asked about security challenges facing India along the frontiers as well as the government focusing on augmenting border infrastructure.
“If you turn the pages of history, you will see that India has never attacked any country of the world, or occupied even an inch of land of any country. But, if anyone casts an evil eye on India, then the country now is in such a state that it can reply in a befitting manner,” he said. Singh emphasised that the country’s defence system has been induced with a new energy by the government in line with people’s vision and it has resulted in India emerging as a powerful nation on the global stage with a strong and self-reliant military. He also said that India’s defence apparatus is today stronger than ever as the Modi government has been focusing on bolstering it with the sentiment of Indianness .
He termed ‘perspective’ as the major difference between the current and the previous dispensations, stating that the present government ardently believes in the capabilities of the people of India.
“Today, our forces possess a strong willpower due to a powerful leadership at the centre. We are working continuously towards keeping the morale of the soldiers high,” he said.
He described promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing as the biggest change brought about by the government, saying it is giving a new shape to India’s defence sector.
He also highlighted various measures rolled out for achieving self-reliance in the defence sector, including setting up of defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, reserving 75 per cent of the capital procurement budget for domestic industry and corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board among others.
Our forces possess a strong willpower due to a powerful leadership at the centre. We are working continuously towards keeping the morale of the soldiers high
— Rajnath Singh