 AGENCIES
NEW DELHI, Dec 12: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday blamed Pakistan of trying to disrupt the country's peace by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities.
"Pakistan wants to disrupt peace in India by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities. The Indian forces had foiled their plans in 1971.We have won in direct war and victory will be ours in indirect war as well. The more someone tries to divide us, the more united we become and face our enemies," said Singh, after inaugurating the 'Swarnim Vijay Parv', commemorating 50 years of India's victory in 1971 war, at India Gate here.
"The more someone tries to divide us, the more united we become and face our enemies. Our aim is to keep our Armed Forces ready for any eventuality. We are moving very fast in this direction. We are working to 'uproot' terrorism," said the Defence Minister.
Attacking Pakistan, Singh said, "The anti-India feeling in Pakistan can be seen from the fact that they name their missiles after invaders who attacked India - Ghori, Ghaznavi, Abdali, whereas India's missiles are named Akash, Prithvi, Agni. One of our missiles is also named Sant."
Talking about the 'Swarnim Vijay Parv', the Defence Minister said, "This festival is a testament to the fact that the memories of 1971 are still fresh in the heart of every Indian. At the same time, it is a symbol of zeal, passion and valour our forces displayed during the 1971 war. It inspires us to keep moving forward on the path of nation's progress with same zeal and passion."
He said the 1971 war is a classic example of India's moral and democratic traditions.
"It will be rarely seen in history that after defeating another country in a war, a country does not impose its dominance, but hands over power to its political representative. India did this, because it is a part of our culture. India has never invaded any country, nor has it ever captured an inch of land of any other country," said the Union Minister.
He recalled the country's contribution in the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh.
The Defence Minister said the 'Swarnim Vijay Parv' is not just about any special operation, but a celebration of the spirit of victory of the Armed Forces and the country as a whole.
Earlier, the Defence Minister said, "It was decided to celebrate the Parv in a grand manner but due to the untimely demise of the country's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 others, we decided to celebrate it with 'simplicity'."
He paid rich tributes to Gen Rawat, his wife and 11 others, who died in a chopper crash in Tami Nadu's Coonoor district on December 8. Talking about IAF Group Captain Varun Singh, lone survivor of the chopper crash, Singh said "He is undergoing treatment in Bangalore. I have been in constant touch with his father. We all pray for his speedy recovery."
Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt, Chief of the Army Staff General MM Naravane, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. |
