DefExpo 2018: Our Commitment to Peace is as Strong as Our Commitment to Protect our People, Says PM Narendra Modi

Chennai, April 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday after launching the ‘Make in India’ pavilion at the ongoing defence expo at Thiruvidanthai in Tamil Nadu, reiterated India’s commitment to maintain peace in the region. Citing examples from history the Prime Minister said, “India is the land from where message of peace and brotherhood has gone out since Vedic times. This is the land from where light of Buddhism spread to the world.”

Addressing a gathering of mostly foreign dignitaries and CEO’s of foreign and local military manufacturing companies, The Prime Minister said that India had always used its strength to protect the highest ideals of humanity. taking a jibe at China Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Thousands of years of Indian history has showed us that we have never desired anybody’s territory.” The PM further added that rather than winning countries through wars, India has believed in winning hearts.” Modi's remarks come when China is increasing its claims over the South China Sea islands of strategic importance. Last year Chinese Army deployed troops in Doklam to have an upper hand on India.

Praising Indian Armed Forces’ contribution in the two world wars, the Prime Minister said that in modern times more than 130,000 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in the two Wars. He further added, “That time India had no claim on territory. But Indian soldiers fought for restoring peace and upholding human values.” Modi also lauded Indian Army’s efforts in maintaining world peace. He said that independent India had also sent one of the largest numbers of UN peacekeepers to places all over the world.

The Prime Minister also laid emphasis on the point that maintaining peace is important, but at the same time, the state has an important responsibility to protect its own citizens. Referring to Kautilya, Modi said “The ancient Indian thinker wrote the 'Arthashastra' more than 2,000 years ago in which he said that the king or the ruler must protect his people and that peace is preferable to war. India's defence preparedness is guided by these thoughts”

"Our commitment to peace is just as strong as our commitment to protect our people and our territory. And for this, we are ready to take all steps required to equip our armed forces, including through the establishment of a strategically independent defence industrial complex,” Modi said while delivering a speech at the DefExpo 2018, an event which is organised to give impetus to domestic defence manufacturing industries and to portray India as one of the major defence manufacturing countries.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 12, 2018 04:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).