India is a peace-loving nation but is capable of giving a befitting reply if threatened, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday. He also said the Government is giving top priority to providing state-of-the-art weapons manufactured indigenously to the armed forces to meet any challenge.
Making these assertions in his address at a virtual event ‘Shaheedon Ko Salaam,’ Rajnath emphasised that strict vigil is being maintained at the borders and that the country is ready to deal with all challenges.
"India is a peace-loving nation which has never tried to hurt any country, but if any attempt is made to disrupt peace and harmony in the country, a befitting reply will be given," he said.
He also urged the citizens to contribute to nation-building by transcending sectarian barriers and imbibing the qualities of national pride and patriotism, found in abundance in every Indian soldier and freedom fighter, according to the defence ministry. The event was organised by an NGO named "Maruti Veer Jawan Trust".
Rajnath said the armed forces personnel, rising above the barriers of region, religion, caste and language, serve the nation selflessly and protect people from various kinds of threats, the same way the "revolutionary" freedom fighters laid down their lives for the country's independence.
Terming the support to the family members of the fallen heroes a national responsibility, the defence minister asserted that the government is committed to ensuring the welfare of the next of kin of the serving as well as the retired security forces personnel.
He described the family as the biggest strength and support system of a soldier and said the government is leaving no stone unturned to strengthen that support system.