Keeping in line with his tradition of spending Diwali with the armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent Diwali with the forces in Kargil on Monday.
“Today, from the victorious lands of Kargil,” the prime minister said, “I wish a very happy Diwali to everyone in India and the world.”
Addressing the armed forces here on Diwali, he recalled his visit to this frontier region in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict in 1999 when the Indian military had “crushed the hood of terror”.
“There has not been a single war with Pakistan when Kargil has not flown the victory flag,” he said adding that Diwali symbolised the “celebration of the end of terror”.
“I have witnessed the Kargil war closely. It was my duty that had brought me to Kargil back then. There are many memories of that time when the sounds of victory were reverberating all around,” Modi said, continuing with the tradition set by him to celebrate Diwali at the country’s frontiers.
“In Kargil, our armed forces had crushed the hood of terror and people still remember the Diwali that was celebrated back then,” he said.
PM celebrates Diwali with Armed Forces in Kargil on 24 October. (Credit: @narendramodi/Twitter)
He said over the last eight years, the government has worked on implementing reforms in the armed forces by deploying new technologies, developing infrastructure in border areas and opening up positions for women in the forces.
“The induction of women in the armed forces will boost our strength,” Modi said and added that reforms in the armed forces that were required for decades are now being implemented.
The prime minister said a nation is safe when its borders are secure, the economy strong and the society full of confidence.
India has been dealing with its enemies, both external and internal, with force, Modi said and recounted the steps taken to “uproot” the “terror, Naxalism and extremism” from within the country.
Sharing some more glimpses from the Diwali celebrations in Kargil. Met soldiers from all across India. Their courage and resolve inspires all our citizens. pic.twitter.com/j9RiEjD0Rj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 24, 2022
He said India has never viewed war as the first option. “We have always seen war as the final resort. We are in favour of global peace… But peace cannot be achieved without strength,” Modi said.
“Our armed forces have the strategies as well as the strength. If anyone dares cast an evil eye on us, our three-armed forces know very well how to give a befitting reply,” the prime minister said.
Prime Minister Modi also said that ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ most important to the nation’s security and the country’s dependence should be minimal on foreign weapons and systems.
Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has been visiting different military facilities to celebrate Diwali.
