President Droupadi Murmu said here on Wednesday India’s armed forces are giving a befitting response to expansionism and terrorism. It was in an apparent reference to the eastern Ladakh border row with China and Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.
In her address at a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament, President Murmu also said India's defence production has crossed the Rs one lakh crore mark as she highlighted the government's efforts to boost the domestic defence manufacturing.
She also mentioned indigenous construction of aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, production of light combat combat jets Tejas, plans to produce C-295 transport planes and modern aircraft engines in India.
President Murmu also referred to the increasing role of women in the armed forces and said women are now operating fighter jets and commanding naval ships.
"Today, my government is building modern infrastructure along the entire border. This work should have been done long ago on (a) priority basis. Be it terrorism or expansionism, our forces today are giving a befitting response," she said.
Indian and Chinese troops are locked in an over three-and-half-year confrontation in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks.
The President, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, said the tangible results of the government's efforts to strengthen internal security are visible.
"There is a sense of security in Jammu and Kashmir today. The earlier deserted look of market places due to strike has been replaced by the hustle and bustle of crowded markets," she said.
"There has been significant reduction in the incidents of separatism in the North East," she added. In her first address at the new Parliament building, Murmu also listed the government's initiative to strengthen 'Nari Shakti'.
"This year's Republic Day Parade was also dedicated to women empowerment. In this parade, the world once again witnessed the capability of our daughters," she said.
"My government has enlarged the role of daughters everywhere -- in water, land, sky and space," she said.
President Murmu said "for the first time, women cadets have been given admission in Sainik Schools and the National Defence Academy." She also said “Today, women are also fighter pilots and are also commanding naval ships for the first time."
The president said the tangible results of the Modi government's efforts to strengthen internal security are visible before everyone. She said naxal-affected areas have shrunk and there has been a steep decline in Naxal violence.
President Murmu said the central government has, for the first time, brought development to areas which had remained neglected for decades.
"The villages adjoining our borders were viewed as the last villages of the country. We recognised them as the first villages of the country. In order to develop these villages, Vibrant Village Programme has been started," she said.
The President said remote and faraway islands like Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep were also deprived of development but the government has developed modern facilities on these islands too.
"Roads, air connectivity and high speed internet facilities have been provided there. Just a few weeks ago, Lakshadweep was also connected with underwater optical fibre. This will benefit the local population as well as tourists," she said.
The President said under the 'Aspirational Districts Programme', the government has laid emphasis on the development of more than 100 districts of the country.
She said in the wake of its success, the government has also launched the Aspirational Blocks Programme.
President Murmu said building of airports at various places is also advantageous and now the Northeast is witnessing record tourist arrivals. Now there is heightened excitement about Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands, she said.