Page 28 - NIS English December1-15

Cover Story Interview of Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh

You visited Siachen immediately after
becoming the Defence Minister. You started the
exercise of writing letters to family of Jawans.
What was your experience?

Soon, after taking over as Defence Minister, I
visited Siachen in June 2019. It was an opportunity
for me to see from close quarters how our jawans
were bravely facing the extreme weather and
other difficulties in safeguarding the country’s
frontiers. They were performing their patriotic
duties against all odds and I salute them.

The conduct of our armed forces shows that while
they maintained ‘Sayyam’ (patience) in the face of
provocative actions, they also equally displayed
Shaurya (Gallantry) when required to protect the
territorial integrity of India.
As we want to resolve the current situation through
dialogue, we have maintained diplomatic and
military engagement with China. On November 6,
strategic systems and platforms such as Agni and the 8th round of India-China Corps Commander
Prithvi series of missiles; light combat aircraft, Level meeting was held in Chushul. Both sides
Tejas; multi-barrel rocket launcher, Pinaka; air agreed to earnestly implement the consensus
defence system, Akash; a wide range of radars reached by the leaders of the two countries, to
and electronic warfare systems; etc., have given ensure their frontline troops to exercise restraint
a certain edge to India's military might. Recently, and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation.
DRDO scientists have conducted successful flight They also agreed to have another round of meeting
tests of enhanced version of the Pinaka rocket; the soon.
new generation Anti Radiation Missile (RUDRAM);
BrahMos, High-speed Expendable Aerial Target What were shortcomings of previous
(HEAT)- ABHYAS , Supersonic Missile Assisted Governments in tackling border disputes? What is
Release of Torpedo (SMART), Laser Guided Anti your idea for the solution?
Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), final user trial of We have outlined four broad principles that are
3rd generation Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), likely to guide India’s quest for national security
NAG etc. in the future. The first is the ability to secure

Border areas are under continuous tension. India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty from
Till date, Indian Army has given a befitting reply external threats and internal challenges. Second,
to any misadventure. What are our preparations? the ability to create secure and stable conditions
that can facilitate India’s economic growth, Third,
On September 15, I gave a statement in the Lok we remain steadfast in the desire to protect our
Sabha regarding situation on the eastern border interests beyond the borders in areas where our
in Ladakh, on the factual position leading to the people reside and our security interests converge.
standoff between Indian Forces and PLA troops And finally, we also believe that in a globalised and
in the Galwan Valley area on June 15 this year. interconnected world, a country’s security interests

26 New India Samachar