PUNE: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said no nation could develop without a strong military, stressing that India always prioritised peace over war, with ‘Buddha’ taking precedence over ‘Yuddha’.
“India is currently undergoing a transition. We are progressing from being a developing country to a developed one. To achieve ‘Viksit Bharat’, every section of the society must contribute. Their contributions will only be meaningful if our security apparatus is foolproof and our borders are secure. A robust security system relies on a strong military. No nation can develop unless its military is powerful,” Singh said during his address at the ‘Gaurav Gatha’, a dynamic display of lights and sounds, and live re-enactments of warfare, which was part of the 77th Army Day celebrations at the Bombay Engineering Group and Centre in Khadki.
Singh said a strong military and secure borders were essential for realising the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. “The ministry is dedicated to strengthening the Armed Forces by equipping them with the latest weapons and platforms, focusing on modernisation through self-reliance. We are committed to transforming the armed forces into a modern warfare entity, considering the dynamic geopolitical landscape and the evolving nature of warfare,” he said, while highlighting the Indian Armed Forces‘ ability to demonstrate that peace was not a sign of weakness, but rather a marker of strength.
The minister said conflicts were becoming increasingly violent and unpredictable, with the rise of non-state actors in many countries presenting a significant concern. “The military must focus on comprehensive capacity building and reforms, as the nature of warfare is rapidly changing. The cyber and space domains are emerging as new war zones,” he said.
Regarding self-reliance in the defence sector, the minister said, “Domestic defence production reached a record Rs 1.27 lakh crore in the last financial year, while defence exports, which were around Rs 2,000 crore a decade ago, surpassed Rs 21,000 crore.”
The minister praised the Army for aiding people during natural disasters. He also launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, which would allow citizens to visit historical war zones and learn about them.
The minister felicitated eight ‘Veer Naris’ and the next of kin of brave soldiers, acknowledging their sacrifice and courage.
He also virtually laid the foundation stone for the Army Paralympic Node, which will be established in Dighi.
The best-marching contingent of the 77th Army Day parade was awarded to the Bombay Engineering Group and Centre.
