The events in neighbouring Afghanistan are raising new questions in terms of security, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday, while asserting that the government is alert and capable of dealing with any situation arising out of the crisis.
“Security of Indians is a cause of concern for the government. We also do not want that anti-India forces to take advantage of the evolving Afghan situation for cross-border terrorism,” Mr. Singh said, delivering the third Balramji Dass Tandon memorial lecture organised by Punjab University via video conference. The Indian government is constantly monitoring the situation there (Afghanistan), he added.
The government will not compromise on issues related to national security, national self-respect and upliftment of the nation under any circumstances, Mr. Singh asserted.
“Our goal is to make India prosperous, strong and secure. An India that does not scare people with its power, but instils a sense of confidence even in small countries that India's growing power is not a threat to them, but it is also going to instil a sense of security for them,” he stated.
Stating that some new threats have also emerged regarding national security, due to the development of modern technology, Mr., Singh referred to the attack on Jammu Air Force Station. “We have to continuously update and upgrade the national security system for new challenges,” the Minister said.
Listing a series of defence reforms by the government to achieve self reliance and bring cohesion, Mr. Singh said, “We are working towards creating Theatre Commands in a new way. This is also going to be a revolutionary step in itself. The process of discussion on this is still going on.”
