Capable armed forces a must for a strong nation: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday quoted Jana Sangh founder Deen Dayal Upadhyaya to stress the need for a strong military as a prerequisite for a strong nation.

“He (Upadhyaya) used to say that the country’s armed forces should be very capable, then only the nation can be strong,” Modi said to thunderous applause from the audience at a function at Vigyan Bhavan here. “In this time of competitiveness and interdependence between countries, the need is that the nation should be capable and strong.”

The Prime Minister said this year’s Vijaya Dashami — a celebration of good’s victory over evil — is “very special” for the country, in an apparent reference to the army’s surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control.

In a veiled reference to Pakistan, Modi said, “Being strong does not mean being against anyone. If we exercise for our strength, then the neighbour need not worry (thinking) that it is to target him. I am exercising to strengthen myself and for my health”.

RSS general secretary Suresh Bhayyaji Joshi asked for strengthening India’s security and said the country’s pursuit of national security was inspired by the need to defend itself rather than to defeat others.

“India should be safe and secure. Its borders are posing a challenge and everyone has seen that this issue can be resolved too,” he said. “India’s strength has never been used to spread boundaries and be expansionist. We go to win over the world but not defeat anyone…There is need that India should be a country that should lead the world.”

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