We 'Preach' Peace, But Ready to Reply Aggressors: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

'Northeast is the right hand of India'

A CORRESPONDENT

LAKHIMPUR: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that the Northeast is the right hand of India, and as such the development of the region is tantamount to the development of the nation. The Defense Minister also got the message clearly across that "India preaches peace, but if any nation turns aggressive against us, we'll give them a befitting reply".

The Defence Minister dedicated 12 roads constructed in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh for the service of the people of the nation.

The Defense Minister inaugurated other 11 roads in digital mode while he formally inaugurated the 20-km-long Kimin-Potin connecting double lane road in Lakhimpur district near Kimin by cutting the ribbon in the presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmah, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prema Khandu, Union Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Kiren Rijiju and Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony at Recruit Training Centre at Kimin on the Assam Arunachal border area in Lakhimpur, Rajnath Singh said that the Northeast is the right hand of the nation.

"The development of the right hand is the development of the whole nation. Our government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given top priority to build the region as the growth engine of the nation. The Act East policy of the Prime Minister is part of this mission and vision. Under this policy, the road connectivity of the region has been strengthened for the development of the people and to ensure the security of the nation. It will enhance the connection of the nation with East Asia," the Defense Minister added.

In that connection, Rajnath Singh said that India would not tolerate any foreign aggression. "We are the worshiper of peace. We welcome solidarity. If any country turns aggressive against India, we will give them a befitting reply," the Defence Minister asserted.

The Defence Minister praised the BRO for its contribution to roads and other infrastructure development in the remote border areas of the nation. He reiterated the resolve of the Union Government to connect all regions of the nation to the overall national mainstream to provide equal opportunity for development and growth.

The roads have been constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) under the projects Arunank, Vartak, Brahma, Udayak, Himank and Sampark.

The roads are Kimin-Potin (20 km), Napoli-Sarli-Huri (44km and Y Junction TCC Maza (Sector 11,070 km) under Project Arunank; three other roads Balipara-Charduwar-Tawang (each of 50 km) under Project Vartak; Yarlung-Lamang (18.58 km) under Project Brahmak; an approach road to Lohitpur and Shivaji Nagar (5.29 km), Roing-Koronu-Paya (17.60 km), Meka-Roing-Hubli (18.68 km) under Project Udayak in Arunachal Pradesh; Koyul-Photile-Chusumle-Zursar (80.38 km) in Ladakh Union Territory under Project Himank and Dogra MandirMandir-Parol-Janiyal-Bomoyal (16.38 km) in Jammu and Kashmir under Project Sampark.

These total 382 km roads are constructed by investing a fund amounting to Rs 1661 crore.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the Defense Minister for prioritizing the Northeast's security through the strengthening of road infrastructure in the difficult border areas of the region. He also highlighted how Rajnath Singh, as the Union Home Minister, had played a crucial role in giving momentum to peace talks with the NDFB and said that the people of the Northeast would remember his contribution in bringing peace to the region.

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