Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the Agnipath scheme during his address in Kargil, Ladakh, on Friday, marking the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. The scheme, aimed at rejuvenating and modernizing the Indian Army, was highlighted as a significant reform.
In his address, PM Modi stated that the Agnipath scheme’s goal is to make the Army younger and keep it continuously fit for combat. He noted that major reforms in the Army have been a long-standing demand.
“The country has felt the need for major reforms in the defence sector for decades. The army has been demanding this for years, but unfortunately, it was not given enough importance earlier. The Agnipath scheme is also an example of the necessary reforms done in the Army. For decades, discussions have been going on in Parliament and many committees on making the army young,” PM Modi said.
#WATCH | On the Agnipath scheme, PM Narendra Modi says, “The history of those who are misleading the youth of the country shows that they do not care about the soldiers. These are the same people who lied about One Rank One Pension. It is our government which implemented One Rank… https://t.co/dSygFxGqDp pic.twitter.com/NPWON70E2j
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024
He also addressed the criticism directed at the scheme, stating, “Those who are misleading the youth of the country. Their history is proof that they don’t care about soldiers. These are the same people who lied on OROP by showing a meagre amount of Rs 500 crore. It is our government that implemented the charges. More than Rs 1.25 lakh crore was given to ex-servicemen.”
PM Modi highlighted the concern over the average age of Indian soldiers being higher than the global average, which Agnipath aims to address. “The average age of Indian soldiers being more than the global average has been a cause of concern. That is why this issue has also been raised in many committees for years. However, the will to solve this challenge related to the security of the country was not shown earlier. The country has addressed this concern through the Agneepath scheme,” he said.
He further emphasized the Army’s significance beyond mere ceremonial functions: “Some people used to think that the Army means saluting politicians, doing parades, but for us, the Army means the faith of 140 crore countrymen. The goal of Agneepath is to make the army young. The goal of Agneepath is to keep the army continuously fit for war.”
The Prime Minister also criticized opposition parties for “politicizing” a “sensitive issue related to national security.” He said, “Unfortunately, some people have made such a sensitive issue related to national security a subject of politics. Some people are doing politics of lies for their benefit, even on this reform of the army. These are the same people who weakened our army by committing scams worth thousands of crores in the army, who wanted the Air Force to never get modern fighter jets, who had made preparations to scrap the Tejas fighter plane.”
PM Modi highlighted the defence reforms undertaken in the past decade, stating, “In the last 10 years, we have made defence reforms a top priority in the defence sector. Due to these reforms, our armies are now more capable and becoming self-reliant!”
He added that significant steps have been taken to boost domestic defence production: “Today, a significant share of defence procurement is being given to the Indian defence industry. Additionally, 25 per cent of the research and development budget in defence has been reserved for the private sector. As a result of these steps, India’s defence production has now exceeded Rs. 1.25 lakh crore.”
Earlier in the day, PM Modi virtually initiated the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project in Ladakh’s Kargil. The Shinkun La Tunnel, a 4.1-kilometre-long twin-tube tunnel to be constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road, aims to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh. Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world, enhancing the movement of armed forces and equipment while promoting economic and social development in Ladakh.
PM Modi also paid tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 Kargil War. He laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, in honor of their sacrifice. Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999, when Indian forces reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists.
(With ANI Inputs)
Also Read: 25 Years of Kargil Vijay: Narendra Modi Reflects on Lessons Learned from the War Front
