Ladakh: Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that India believes in resolving disputes through dialogue with neighboring countries, but is always ready to give a befitting reply if provoked.
The Defense Minister, who interacted with the officers and jawans of the 14 Corps of the Indian Army at the Karoo Military Station in Ladakh, said that India is a peace loving country which never resorts to aggression of any kind. Always ready to give a befitting reply when provoked.
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At Leh Air Force Base today, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the IAF officers for their efforts in the India-China standoff, saying, “We have the capability to deal with any situation if any situation arises.”
“I wanted to meet in person. During the India-China standoff, your effort is commendable. If any situation arises, we have the capability to deal with any situation.” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh told them.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh interacts with personnel of the Air Force, Army, ITBP and GREF during the traditional ‘Bara Khana’ in Leh.
“From PM Modi to his predecessors, everyone worked to improve relations with neighbours. Atal ji (former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee) actually once said, “Friends can change, neighbors can’t”: Rajnath Singh told the officers present.
“The charismatic work done by the forces a year ago has been appreciated by the nation. With the might shown by the Army, Air Force, who can defeat such a force?” she added.
Earlier, speaking to the Indian Army, he reiterated the government’s stand to resolve disputes through dialogue with neighboring countries but assured that the country’s security and security would not be compromised at any cost.
He said, “We have always worked for world peace. We have never attacked anyone. Our aim has never been to win against anyone. India has neither attacked any country nor captured an inch. We have done it. Our intention is very clear.”
Talking about India’s neighbours, Singh called for finding a permanent solution to the contentious issues through dialogue.
“Our neighbors should think that we have been neighbors for centuries, we will be neighbors for life. Can we not find a permanent solution to the disputed issues through dialogue. We were neighbors, we are neighbors and we will remain neighbors. I speak. I am doing all the neighbors. We can find solutions provided our intention is clear.”
Assuring all possible assistance to the armed forces, the Defense Minister reaffirmed the vision of the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have a strong army that is capable of handling any situation.
In his address, he also paid tribute to the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the service of the country during the Galwan Valley incident in 2020.
Singh said that the country will never forget his supreme sacrifice.
Appreciating the exemplary courage displayed by the Indian Army during the incident, he said that the country is proud of its armed forces.
The Defense Minister also lauded the 14th Corps for their invaluable contribution during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 as well as the Kargil War of 1999.
According to officials, the Defense Minister was briefed by top Army commanders about the current situation as well as India’s war preparedness in the region.
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