"Issue of national security made subject of politics," PM Modi hits out at opposition for questioning Agnipath scheme

Speaking during Kargil Vijay Diwas Shradhanjali Samaroh in Drass, Ladakh, Prime Minister Modi said that "some people used to think that the Army meant saluting politicians, doing parades but for us, the Army means the faith of 140 crore countrymen."

"The Army means the faith of 140 crore countrymen. The army means - the guarantee of peace for 140 crore countrymen and the army means - the guarantee of security of the country's borders. Unfortunately, such a sensitive issue related to national security has been made a subject of politics by some people. Some people are playing politics of lies on this reform of the army for their personal interests. These are the same people who weakened our armed forces by committing scams worth thousands of crores of rupees in the armed forces. These are the same people who wanted the Air Force to never get modern fighter jets. These are the same people who had made preparations to scrap the Tejas fighter plane. These are the same people who had made preparations to lock the Tejas fighter plane in a box, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that he is "astonished" by the mindset of some individuals (opposition).

"I am astonished by the mindset of some individuals. What has happened to their reasoning and intellect? Can someone explain to me the logic behind demanding pensions for those who joined the service today during Modi's tenure? They will only receive their pensions after 30 years. By then, Modi will be 105 years old! I am shocked! Why would the government take a decision for it today? We would have left that to the governments, but we have respected this decision taken by the forces because, for us, the security of the country is paramount, not politics," he said.

He further said that those (the opposition) who are misleading the youth of the country do not care about the soldiers.

"These are the same people who lied about One Rank, One Pension by showing Rs 500 crore. This is our government, which implemented One Rank, One Pension and gave more than Rs 1.25 lakh crore to ex-servicemen. These are the same people who did not build a war memorial for the soldiers even after 7 decades of independence. These are the same people who did not even provide adequate bulletproof jackets to our soldiers deployed on the border," the PM added.

PM Modi said that a significant share of defence procurement is being given to the Indian defence industry.

"Today, a significant share of defence procurement is being given to the Indian defence industry. Additionally, 25 per cent of the research and development budget in defence has been reserved for the private sector. As a result of these steps, India's defence production has now exceeded Rs. 1.25 lakh crore," he said.

He further mentioned that in the last 10 years, the central government has made defence reforms a top priority in the defence sector.

"The country has felt the need for major reforms in the defence sector for decades. The army has been demanding this for years, but unfortunately, it was not given enough importance earlier. In the last 10 years, we have made defence reforms a top priority in the defence sector. Due to these reforms, our armies are now more capable and becoming self-reliant!" he said.

PM Modi further asserted that the victory of Kargil was not a victory of any party but of the nation.

"This triumph is an integral part of our country's heritage, a testament to its pride and self-respect. On behalf of 140 crore countrymen, I pay my heartfelt respects to our brave soldiers. I extend my warmest wishes to all citizens on the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas!" he said.

PM Modi paid tribute to bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in the 1999 Kargil War. The Prime Minister laid a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, Ladakh, on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed annually on July 26, commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1999. During this conflict, Indian forces successfully reclaimed strategic positions in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir that had been infiltrated by Pakistani soldiers and terrorists. (ANI)