Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful address on the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas in Ladakh’s Kargil. He defended the Agnipath scheme while sharply criticising opposition parties for their stance on national security issues. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant reforms undertaken by his government in the defence sector, emphasising the necessity of the Agnipath scheme to rejuvenate the Indian Army and ensure its preparedness for future challenges.
During his speech, PM Modi stressed the importance of the Agnipath scheme, which aims to make the Indian Army younger and more fit for combat. He described the scheme as a response to a long-standing demand for major reforms within the military. “The country has felt the need for major reforms in the defence sector for decades. The Army has been demanding this for years, but unfortunately, it was not given enough importance earlier. The Agnipath scheme is also an example of the necessary reforms done in the Army. For decades, discussions have been going on in Parliament and many committees on making the Army young,” PM Modi said.
He further explained that the scheme addresses concerns about the average age of Indian soldiers being higher than the global average. “The average age of Indian soldiers being more than the global average has been a cause of concern. That is why this issue has also been raised in many committees for years. However, the will to solve this challenge related to the security of the country was not shown earlier. The country has addressed this concern through the Agnipath scheme,” he stated.
#WATCH | On the Agnipath scheme, PM Narendra Modi says, "The history of those who are misleading the youth of the country shows that they do not care about the soldiers. These are the same people who lied about One Rank One Pension. It is our government which implemented One Rank… https://t.co/dSygFxGqDp pic.twitter.com/NPWON70E2j
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024
Prime Minister Modi did not mince words when criticising opposition parties for handling defence issues and misleading the youth regarding the Agnipath scheme. He accused them of neglecting the welfare of soldiers and politicising sensitive national security matters. “Those who are misleading the youth of the country. Their history is proof that they don’t care about soldiers. These are the same people who lied on OROP by showing a meagre amount of Rs 500 crore. It is our government that implemented the charges. More than Rs 1.25 lakh crore was given to ex-servicemen,” he remarked.
PM Modi also condemned the opposition for spreading misconceptions about the Agnipath scheme, suggesting it was designed to save pension money. “I don’t know what has happened to the thinking of some people. They are spreading the misconception that the government has come up with this scheme to save pension money… For today’s recruits, the question of pension will arise after 30 years… We have respected this decision taken by the Army because we work for ‘rashtraneeti’, not ‘rajneeti’,” he asserted.
Further, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment that some opposition parties were politicising national security issues for their own gain. He accused them of weakening the Army through corruption and mismanagement. “Unfortunately, some people have made such a sensitive issue related to national security a subject of politics. Some people are doing politics of lies for their benefit, even on this reform of the Army. These are the same people who weakened our Army by committing scams worth thousands of crores in the Army, who wanted the Air Force to never get modern fighter jets, who had made preparations to scrap the Tejas fighter plane,” he declared.
Highlighting the reforms made in the defence sector over the last decade, PM Modi stated that defence reforms had been a top priority for his Government. He emphasised the progress made towards self-reliance in defence production. “In the last 10 years, we have made defence reforms a top priority in the defence sector. Due to these reforms, our armies are now more capable and becoming self-reliant!” he said.
“Today, a significant share of defence procurement is being given to the Indian defence industry. Additionally, 25 per cent of the research and development budget in defence has been reserved for the private sector. As a result of these steps, India’s defence production has now exceeded Rs. 1.25 lakh crore,” he added.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi virtually inaugurated the first blast of the Shinkun La Tunnel project in Ladakh’s Kargil. The project involves the construction of a 4.1-kilometre-long twin-tube tunnel at an altitude of approximately 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road, providing all-weather connectivity to Leh. Once completed, it will be the highest tunnel in the world. The tunnel is expected to enhance the swift and efficient movement of armed forces and equipment while fostering economic and social development in Ladakh.
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil War. He laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, honouring the martyrs of Operation Vijay, which successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir from infiltrators.
Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. It is a day to remember and honour the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers in securing the nation’s borders.
