India will give fitting reply to any nation attempting to occupy its land- Rajnath Singh

Sunday, 21 November 2021 | PNS | Dehradun

Defence minister Rajnath Singh stressed that India wants good relations with its neighbours but warned that it will give a fitting reply to any country that attempts to occupy even an inch of its land. Singh said this at the launch of the second leg of the Shaheed Samman Yatra in Jaulkhet area of Pithoragarh district on Saturday.

Referring to Pakistan, Singh said it keeps trying to destabilise India through terrorist activities and a stern message has already been given to it. “We have given a clear message to our neighbour on the western border that if it crosses its limits, we will not just retaliate on the borders but can even cross over into its territory and do surgical and airstrikes,” he said. Singh also referred to China without naming it.

Singh also recalled that there was an attempt to create misapprehensions in Nepal about a road from Lipulekh Pass to Mansarovar through Dharchula in Pithoragarh district. However, the attempt failed to affect India’s close cultural ties with neighbouring Nepal, he added. Stating that the Central government under PM Narendra Modi has taken various steps for the welfare of soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families, he said that these efforts will continue. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also expressed his views on the occasion.

It is pertinent to mention here that soil from homes of 1,734 martyrs’ families in the state is being collected in urns to be brought to Dehradun where it will be used in the construction of the Sainya Dham as envisioned by PM Modi. Union minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt and other public representatives were also present on the occasion.