'India wants peace but won't tolerate aggression, Rajnath Singh's warning to China

Lakhimpur, June 18: "India is a peace-loving nation but its response to aggression has been resolute," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while paying tribute to Galwan valley martyrs. This statement comes as he visited Arunachal Pradesh to dedicate 12 roads to the nation, built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the Northern and Eastern border areas, in the presence of Assam CM Dr. Himanta Biswa in Assam's Lakhimpur district.

 

 

Singh paid tribute to the soldiers who showed exemplary courage during the Galwan Valley incident last year and made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. “As far as India is concerned, there is no second opinion. We are a worshipper of peace and we never resorted to aggression against any country, whether a neighbour or otherwise. But if someone resorts to aggression against us, we know how to give a befitting reply,” he said.

 

 

This was his maiden visit to the frontier state since the clashes occurred in eastern Ladakh last year. In November 2019, China had objected to his visit to the state.

 

 

Singh e-inaugurated a 20-km long double lane Kimin-Potin road, along with nine other roads in Arunachal Pradesh and one each in the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. The roads have been constructed under ‘Arunank’, ‘Vartak’, ‘Brahmank’, ‘Udayak’, ‘Himank’ and ‘Sampark’ projects of BRO.

 

He said the Northeast is strategic from the military point of view. "The Northeast has a unique geography as it is bound by five countries," Singh said, taking the names of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal but not China.

 

Besides, speaking on the occasion, Singh lauded BRO for its contribution in infrastructure development of remote border areas of the country, especially amid the COVID-19 restrictions. He said the roads inaugurated hold strategic and socio-economic importance as they will play an important role in strengthening national security as well as promoting the development of the North-East region. “These roads will be helpful in fulfilling the needs of our Armed Forces and transporting necessities like medicines and ration to remote areas,” he said.

 

 

These road projects are part of the ‘Act East Policy’ of the government wherein special emphasis is being laid on the overall development of the border areas. Further, he underlined the constant efforts of the Government to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing under the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ envisioned by the Prime Minister.

 

 

“We are actively working towards making India a defence manufacturing hub. Self-reliance in defence production will reduce our dependence on imports, increase exports and strengthen our economy,” he added.

 

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Minority Affairs and AYUSH (Independent Charge) Kiren Rijiju, and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region & Minister of State, PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh was among the dignitaries who attended the event virtually.