Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Emphasizes War Readiness for Peace Preservation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh clarified his statement on the Armed Forces' war readiness, highlighting India's commitment to peace. Speaking in Lucknow, Singh stressed the need for military preparedness amidst global geopolitical tensions. He chaired the Joint Commanders' Conference, urging jointness among services and analyzing current global conflicts for future challenges.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday clarified his earlier statement suggesting that the Armed Forces must be prepared for war. He asserted that such preparedness is crucial to ensuring that India's peace remains undisturbed under all circumstances.

In an address to the media, Singh emphasized India's message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' – the world is one family. He noted, 'India has always been an advocate of peace. However, in light of the current geopolitical landscape, our military must be ready to maintain peace by being prepared for war.'

During his visit to Lucknow, Singh also visited the Khatu Shyam Mandir and chaired the inaugural Joint Commanders' Conference (JCC). At the conference, he highlighted the need for jointness and integration among the three armed services to face future challenges, commended their contribution to national security and the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and urged them to consider recent global conflicts in their strategic planning.

The Defence Minister pointed to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas tensions, and issues in Bangladesh as significant events requiring careful analysis by India's top military leadership to foresee and prepare for potential future problems on and beyond the Northern border, aiming to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)