Guwahati, April 23: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that, if necessary, Indian armed forces would go across the border to take action against the terrorists who are inimical to India.
Speaking at the ‘Felicitation Ceremony’ of 1971 War Veterans in Guwahati, the Defence Minister said that this is the firm decision of the government that Indian armed forces would go across the border to take appropriate actions against the terrorists who are active against the country.
Felicitated the 1971 war veterans at a function in Guwahati, Assam. An in-service soldier is India’s strength and a veteran is an ever-lasting inspiration to stand by that strength. I salute the courage and valour of the 1971 war veterans. https://t.co/PPeRVI5vos pic.twitter.com/yDVyFwE6cg
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 23, 2022
Referring to the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (AFSPA), he said that the act was recently lifted from 23 districts in Assam and from 15 Police stations each in Manipur and Nagaland as the situation has improved in these areas.
“Our Army also does not want to keep the AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir. Army is not responsible, but the situation forced the promulgation of the act in Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever the situation improves, the AFSPA would be withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir,” the Defence Minister said.
He also stressed that the Army is not for maintaining the internal security of the country; this is the responsibility of other security forces and the state police.
“If the Army can be withdrawn from internal security, they would more effectively deal with the country’s external security at the frontiers… The Indian Army’s strength, dedication and spirit are incredible. Due to the dedication and courage of 15 lakh strong Indian armed force personnel, the head of ‘Bharat Mata’ would never be low down,” Singh further said.
He also added that it is a proud feeling for the country that currently there are 38,000 to 40,000 retired army veterans in the northeast region.
Singh said that as part of the government’s mission to make India an ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ in defence equipment, the export of defence equipment has increased by 334 per cent during the past few years.
“By 2025, Indian defence exports would cross Rs 35,000 crore. India is now among the 25 countries in making and exporting defence equipment,” he informed.