Defence Minister Rajnath said that India never encourages war and wants to maintain cordial relations with its neighbours. He added that India has every capability to thwart border challenges to protect the country’s territory.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Siyom Bridge in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday, he said, “India has always been against war. India has neither started a war against any country nor captured an inch of land from any country but this should not be taken for granted.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Siyom Bridge on Along-Yinkiong Road in Arunachal Pradesh and dedicated to the nation 27 other infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), worth Rs 724 crore.
The Siyom Bridge is a state-of-the-art 100-meter long, Class 70 Steel Arch Superstructure Siyom Bridge over Siyom River in Arunachal Pradesh.
During the event, the minister said, “The world is witnessing a number of conflicts today. India has always been against war. It is our policy. Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi drew the world’s attention to that resolve when he said ‘this is not the era of war’. 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 is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with them.”
Highlighting the crucial role played by the BRO in strengthening country’s security through infrastructure development in border areas, he said “Recently, our forces effectively countered the adversary in the Northern sector and dealt with the situation with bravery & 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.”
“BRO is the nation’s bro (brother),” he said adding that he often used to confuse BRO with Bro but they are actually brothers of the Armed Forces and people of the country.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Pema Khandu, MP Arunachal East Shri 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.
According to an official release from the Ministry of Defence, a total of 103 infrastructure projects of BRO were dedicated to the nation in the year at a total cost of Rs 2,897 crore, including these 28 projects, which were completed in 2022. In October last year, 75 projects, worth Rs 2,173 crore, were inaugurated by the Raksha Mantri from Shyok village in Ladakh. In 2021, 102 such projects of the BRO were dedicated to the nation at a cost of Rs 2,229 crore.