Union defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that India doesn’t believe in war but it will fight if war is forced upon. “We do not believe in war, but if it is forced upon us, we will fight. We are ensuring that the nation is protected from all threats. Our Armed Forces are ready and it is heartening to see that the BRO (Border Roads Organisation) is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with them,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Siang.
He highlighted that the aim is to build a strong and self-reliant country which can deal with future challenges which may arise due to changing global scenario.
“The world is witnessing a number of conflicts today. India has always been against war. It is our policy. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi drew the world’s attention to that resolve when he said ‘this is not the era of war’,” said Singh.
The defence minister also emphasised the critical part the BRO is playing in enhancing national security by building infrastructure in border regions.
“Recently, our forces effectively countered the adversary in the Northern sector and dealt with the situation with bravery and promptness. This was made possible due to adequate infrastructural development in the region. This motivates us even more for the progress of far-flung areas,” he said.
The Siyom Bridge, which is crucial from a strategic perspective, was physically inaugurated during the event on Along-Yinkiong Road, while the other projects were virtually committed to the country. The Siyom Bridge spans the Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh at a length of 100 metres and a class of 70 steel arch superstructure.
The Defence Minister occasionally also published a Compendium on New Technologies. In order to mitigate the effects of remote and hostile terrain with the adverse weather conditions, which unreasonably affect the quality of civil engineering works and meeting completion deadlines, it incorporates the most recent technologies used by the BRO in the construction of roads, bridges, airfields, and tunnel infrastructure.
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, MP Arunachal East Tapir Gao, GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lieutenant General RP Kalita and GOC Spear Corps Lieutenant General RC Tiwari were among those who attended the event.
In his speech, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh referred to the projects as evidence of the Government’s and the BRO’s coordinated efforts to develop border regions so as to improve the operational readiness of the Armed Forces and assure the socioeconomic development of the remote areas.
He argued that connecting border regions and ensuring the development of their populations are key priorities for the government, which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.