Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the operational readiness of the armed forces along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during his visit to the forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday. Rajnath Singh also addressed at Tawang said there is no option but to strengthen the country’s security apparatus, underlining that all efforts are being made by the government to reinforce the military prowess through indigenous production of defence equipment.
“Earlier, we used to rely on imports to upgrade our military. But today, a number of major weapons and platforms are being manufactured within the country,” he said. Furthermore, he emphasized the government’s current strategy of promoting collaboration between foreign enterprises and domestic industries in India, facilitating the transfer of technology and local production of equipment.
Accompanying the minister were the Army Chief, General Manoj Pande, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Eastern Command, Lt. Gen. R.P. Kalita, the GOC of 4 Corps, Lt. Gen. Manish Erry, and several other high-ranking Army officials.
Engaging in a Shastra Puja alongside the troops at Tawang, the minister emphasized the significance of Dussehra as a symbol of triumph over adversity, citing the dedication and righteousness of the armed forces as a testament to the festival’s essence.
Tawang’s global prominence was highlighted in December 2022 following a minor clash between Indian and Chinese troops, prompting both sides to promptly disengage from the area, as confirmed by the Army.
Earlier during the day, Singh’s itinerary included a visit to the 4 Corps Headquarters in Tezpur, Assam, where he meticulously assessed the operational preparedness of the formation deployed in one of the nation’s easternmost regions.
During the visit, the Defence Minister was briefed on the ongoing infrastructure developments along the LAC, along with the strategic implementation of state-of-the-art military equipment and technology aimed at enhancing the overall operational efficiency of the frontline troops.
Back in 2019, China had raised objections to Defence Minister Singh’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, and more recently, in April, to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit, citing concerns about the alleged violation of Beijing’s “territorial sovereignty.” In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asserted that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inseparable part of India, a stance it continues to uphold firmly.
According to a report by The Hindu in May, China has been steadily expanding its network of model villages, known as ‘Xiaokang’ villages, along the LAC in the middle and eastern sectors.
In a parallel effort, India has initiated the Vibrant Villages Programme in the border village of Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh. This program encompasses 2,967 villages identified for comprehensive development across 46 blocks in 19 districts, spanning the northern border regions of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
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