Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday at a virtual event that strict vigilance is maintained at the borders and that the country is prepared to face any challenge. "India has never tried to hurt any country, but if anyone tries to cast an evil eye on it, a befitting reply will be given," Rajnath Singh said, amid a lingering border dispute with China in eastern Ladakh, as per a release by the defense ministry.
Rajnath Singh attended a "Shaheedon ko Salaam" programme hosted by the NGO "Maruti Veer Jawan Trust."
The minister tweeted, "Attended a programme organised by ‘Maruti Veer Jawan Trust’ to support the families of India’s bravehearts. The Govt. is committed to the welfare of the families of our soldiers and we are leaving no stone unturned to strengthen that support system."
The defence minister noted that bolstering the security apparatus by equipping the armed forces with indigenous state-of-the-art weapons is the top priority of the government.
Singh further said India has never tried to hurt any country, but a befitting reply will be given if anyone tries to cast an evil eye on it.
"India is a peace-loving nation which has never tried to hurt any country, but if any attempt is made to disrupt peace and harmony in the country, a befitting reply will be given," the defense minister, according to the release.
According to the defence ministry, he also urged citizens to contribute to nation-building by transcending sectarian barriers and imbibing the qualities of national pride and patriotism found in abundance in every Indian soldier and freedom fighter.
Singh stated that armed forces personnel serve the nation selflessly and protect people from various threats, just as "revolutionary" freedom fighters laid down their lives for the country's independence.
The defence minister stated that the government is committed to ensuring the welfare of the next of kin of serving and retired security forces personnel, calling support for the family members of fallen heroes a national responsibility.
"It is the duty of every citizen to carry forward the ideals and resolutions of our freedom fighters and soldiers, to protect our nation's unity, integrity, and sovereignty, and to contribute to the construction of a strong, prosperous, and self-sufficient 'New India,'" he said.
"During my stint as the home minister, the 'Bharat Ke Veer' fund was one of the major decisions taken to support the families of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) jawans and officers," Singh said, as per the release.
"Recently, the Ministry of Defence launched the 'Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot' website to enable people to contribute more to the armed forces Battle Casualties Fund," he said.