India would give a befitting response if its pride is hurt by any super power, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at a military function in Bengaluru on Thursday.
“If any super power hurts our national pride, our soldiers are capable of giving a fitting response though we do not want a war,” the Defence Minister said at the fifth Armed Forces Veterans’ Day, without naming any country amid the LAC standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
Noting that India stood for peace and friendly relations with all the countries, especially in the region, Singh said the nation is against armed conflict and wants to maintain peace, which is its hoary culture.
“India is for protecting one’s security but not in favour of war though our troops are capable of defending the country’s borders,” reiterated Singh.
Lauding the soldiers for eliminating hundreds of terrorists intruding from across the western border, Singh said they have also displayed bravery in protecting the country in the northern border facing China.
Earlier, Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat placed wreaths and paid homage at the War Memorial at the Indian Air Force (IAF) training command in the city. IAF and Indian Navy officers also laid wreaths as a mark of respect to the war heroes.
“Singh and Rawat interacted with the military veterans and martyrs’ kin and members of ex-servicemen organisations,” a defence official said in a statement.
Indian armed forces celebrate Veterans Day on January 14 every year in recognition of the services rendered by the country’s first Field Marshal, K.M. Cariappa, who retired on the same day in 1953.