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NE NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, JULY 24
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced the setting up of joint theatre commands of the tri-services to enhance coordination among the armed forces.
#India 🇮🇳 has become a strong & confident nation which is well-equipped to protect its people from anyone who tries to cast an evil eye” @DefenceMinIndia Shri @rajnathsingh during an event organised to commemorate #KargilVijayDiwas in Jammu today@ddnews_jammu#TrendingNow @ANI pic.twitter.com/YwZnbvToeW
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) July 24, 2022
The defence minister also said India is moving quickly from being the world’s largest importer of defence equipment to an exporter.
He was speaking during a programme organised by the Jammu Kashmir People’s Forum here to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Indian Armed Forces.
“Keeping in view (joint operations as seen in Operation Vijay in Kargil), we have decided to set up joint theatre commands (in the country),” Singh said.
Paying tributes to the Kargil martyrs, the defence minister said the country cannot forget their supreme sacrifice to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
JS Samidare @JMSDF_PAO & #INSSukanya conducted #maritime Partnership 🤝#exercise on 23 Jul 2022 in Andaman Sea @AN_Command
Tactical manoeuvers, seamanship evolution replenishment & ✈✈✈Ops conducted during operational interaction#India 🇮🇳 #Japan 🇯🇵 @JapanGov @BBCWorld pic.twitter.com/3EhlNyMtC5
— PRO Defence Gujarat (@DefencePRO_Guj) July 24, 2022
Rajnath Singh remembered the then Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his leadership and words of encouragement to the Armed Forces personnel during the Kargil war despite numerous challenges and international pressure. He termed the victory as a prime example of jointness among the three Services and their coordination with the Government which safeguarded the sovereignty & integrity of the nation during testing times.
“The Kargil war underlined the dire need to achieve jointness and self-reliance in the defence sector. It has been our endeavour to achieve these qualities to remain prepared for future challenges. Setting up of Joint Theatre Commands and reforms to achieve self-reliance in defence are the steps taken in that direction,” he added.
“It is the duty of the society and the people to give their utmost respect to the martyrs and their families, Whatever support you can offer, do to for their families. It is the responsibility of each citizen,” he added.
Referring to the defence production, Singh said, “India was the world’s largest importer (of defence products). Today, India is not the world’s largest importer but is among the top 25 nations engaged in defence exports,” he pointed out.
Singh said the country has started defence exports worth Rs 13,000 crore and it has fixed a target to increase it to Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by 2025-26.
RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale also addressed the gathering at Gulshan Ground near Jammu University.
Singh is scheduled to hold a special meeting with a select gathering of the BJP leaders at the party office in Trikuta Nagar to take stock of the party’s preparations for the assembly elections.
He will also be briefed about the security situation and political developments. This is Singh’s second visit to Jammu in a little over a month. He visited the region on June 17 on the occasion of the 200th year of coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh.
