Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 14 November arrived in Jaisalmer to spend Diwali with the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Army troops deployed at the Longewala post.
Taking a dig at China, PM Modi said that the world is troubled by expansionist forces.
“Today the whole world is troubled by expansionist forces. Expansionism is, in a way, a mental disorder and reflects 18th-century thinking. India is also becoming a strong voice against this thinking,” he said.
Further warning the ‘enemies’ against provocating India, PM Modi said, “Today the strategy of India is clear. Today's India believes in the policy of understanding and making others understand. But if attempts are made to test us, the reply they receive will be intense.”
“They (Indians) are proud of your invincibility. No power in the world can stop our brave soldiers from guarding the borders of our country,” he said.
Taunting Pakistan, PM Modi said that the world has taken notice of how India kills terrorists by ‘entering their homes’.
“Today India kills terrorists and their leaders by entering their homes. The world now understands that this nation won’t compromise with its interests, not at any cost. This repute and stature of India is all due to your strength and valour,” PM Modi said.
‘My Diwali is Incomplete Without You’
Addressing the troops, PM Modi said, “I would like to extend my Diwali greetings. I have brought the greetings of every Indian to you today.”
“You may be at the snow-capped mountains or in deserts, but my Diwali is complete only when I meet you. My happiness doubles when I look at the joy on your faces,” he added.
PM Modi said that 130 crore Indians are standing with India’s troops and that every Indian is proud of the strength and valour of our soldiers.
Speaking of the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign of the government, PM Modi said that India is rapidly working towards making the forces “self-reliant”.
“India is working rapidly to increase its defence capability and make its defence sector Atmanirbhar. We have decided to focus on the indigenous arms factory. This one decision of the defence sector propelled 130 crore Indians to work towards the ‘vocal for local’ campaign,” he said.
‘COVID-19 Response of the Army and the IAF Praiseworthy’
Later in the day, while addressing Air Force personnel, PM Modi reiterated his warnings to ‘enemy’ nations and said that the ones with ill intentions will be given a befitting reply.
“If anyone casts an evil eye on us, our soldiers will give them a befitting reply. This establishes the credibility of the Indian Army in the world. Today, the country's Army is engaged in military exercises with other big countries. We are engaged in strategic partnerships to fight against terrorism. The Indian Armed Forces have shown that they can strike on terrorist havens anywhere, anytime,” he said.
He also lauded the response of the forces amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While the Indian Armed Forces are capable of dealing with the enemies, they are at the forefront to help people during disasters. The role played by the Air Force and the Navy in rescuing people who were stranded in other countries due to COVID-19 is praiseworthy,” he said.
“The Indian Armed Forces worked on a war footing during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributed at every level, ensuring availability of masks, sanitizers, PPE kits, medical equipment, and hospitals in the country,” he added.
“Our Air Force was at the forefront in rescuing people from Wuhan. There were some countries that left their people stranded in Wuhan, we not only rescued our people but also helped other countries,” he said.
On the eve of Diwali, on 13 November, PM Modi took to Twitter to express his gratitude towards the soldiers for their service.
In 2019, the Prime Minister celebrated the festival with troops deployed in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district. The year before, he travelled to meet soldiers in Uttarakhand. and In 2017, he spent Diwali with troops posted in Gurez sector of north Kashmir.
He spent his first Diwali with soldiers as PM in Siachen in 2014 in a rare and unannounced visit. He has followed the practice every year by celebrating the festival with soldiers in forward areas.
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