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'War has been last resort but…’: PM Modi to soldiers on Diwali in Kargil
Diwali 2022: In line with the annual tradition, PM Modi celebrated Diwali with soldiers.
India has always seen war as the last resort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday as he interacted with soldiers in Kargil. Like every year, PM Modi is celebrating Diwali - the festival of lights - with security personnel. In Kargil, the 1999 war, “external and internal enemies for the country” and increasing self-reliance in the defence sector were some of the aspects that he focused on during his speech.
“Whether it was the battle of Kurukshetra or Lanka, war was always the last report… attempts were made to delay escalation,” Modi said, referring to Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. “We are proponents of world peace. We oppose conflict but peace is not possible without strength. Our forces have capability and strategy. The army knows how to give a befitting reply to those seeking to create tensions,” he stressed.
On Diwali, revelers mark the return of Lord Ram from Lanka. In his address, PM Modi linked the meaning of Diwali to Kargil. “Diwali is the festival of end of atank (terror), and Kargil made it happen. Kargil has never lost to Pakistan,” he stressed.
He also praised the Army, Navy and Air Forces for increasing self-reliance.
“I am glad that nearly 400 weapons would now be made in India, reducing our dependence on foreign nations. Our forces are increasingly turning to made-in-India weapons. From supersonic weapons to Light Weight Helicopters, India’s military might is growing. Today, the country is not only meeting its own needs but focusing on exports too,” PM Modi asserted. Not just pride but the made-in-India weapons “will also help Indian soldiers” have an element of surprise during battles, he further said.
He also said that his government - over the last eight years - has “worked with a focus on implementing reforms within the armed forces”. “We have opened positions in the forces for women. Nari Shakti (Women power) will strengthen our armed forces,” he stressed.
