India capable of eliminating seen and unseen enemies: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that the defence ministry is fully capable of eliminating the visible enemy on the border, as well as the invisible enemies like Coronavirus. Pakistan and China have simultaneously initiated actions challenging India, and analysts are claiming that these actions are coordinated. Against this background, the statement made by the Defence Minister is very suggestive.

India had surprised the world by conducting Nuclear tests at the Pokhran Range on 11th May 1998. This day is celebrated as the National Technology Day. The Defence Minister was addressing a function organised to celebrate the day. The Defence Minister asserted that the country should be assured that his ministry can eliminate the visible enemy standing across the border as well as the invisible enemies, like the Coronavirus.

Reports of Pakistani F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets patrolling near the Indian border and the intrusion attempts by the Chinese military in Sikkim are being received. It was also reported that a Chinese helicopter was hovering close to the Indian border in the Ladakh region. Therefore, it is clear that Pakistan and China are trying to build concurrent military pressure on India. Some analysts in India have also said that this could be a major conspiracy by these two neighbouring countries against India.

Therefore, Rajnath Singh has delivered the right message to both Pakistan and China in measured words. The Defence Minister said that there is a need to be self-reliant in the field of defence equipment manufacture. Therefore, the government has made a draft policy for this purpose, and indigenous defence equipment manufacturers are being encouraged.

Rajnath Singh also praised the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the valuable contribution made for the fight against Coronavirus. DRDO has developed various kinds of equipment over the last few months. DRDO has developed bio-suits, sanitiser dispensers, PPE kits and many other devices. Singh said that it was possible to manufacture these items on a large scale only because of the technology developed by the DRDO.

A policy has been drafted for making India self-reliant in defence equipment. He also said that there was no alternative for indigenous technology and domestic manufacture. The Defence Minister expressed confidence that instead of importing technology, India will become self-reliant in this sector and even become an exporter.