We Will Never Let the Sanctity of Our Borders Be Violated: Rajnath Singh

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday that India will buy MQ-9B drones from the United States following established procedures and will compare the “best price” offered by manufacturer General Atomics with other countries before completing the purchase.

Regarding eastern Ladakh’s confrontation with China, Singh stressed that India wants to resolve the border issue through dialogue and in a peaceful manner while emphasizing that the government will never compromise on the country’s borders and self-respect.

“We will never allow our borders to be violated,” the defense minister said at a national security meeting in Jammu, adding that talks were continuing on the military and diplomatic levels to resolve the dispute.

Regarding the drone deal with the US, Singh said that the Ministry of Defense will compare the cost of purchasing the drones with the best price offered by General Atomics to other countries, adding that the acquisition will be made only by following the established procurement procedures.

India and the US confirmed the drone deal during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high-profile visit to Washington.

Singh dismissed reports of speculation about the price and other terms of purchase related to the purchase of 31 MQ-9B drones from the United States.

His comments came a day after the Department of Defense said it had not finalized the cost and specific terms for purchasing the MQ-9B long endurance aircraft from the United States.

Strongly denying reports in a section of social media about the price and the acquisition process, the ministry said it would examine the “best price” offered by the manufacturer to other countries before completing the purchase.

The Minister of Defense described the general border situation with China as a matter of difference in perception, but indicated that there are agreements and protocols on the basis of which the armies of the two countries conduct patrols.

Referring to the standoff in eastern Ladakh, he said the Chinese military ignored the agreed protocols and unilaterally tried to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control.

He praised the valor and dedication of the Indian Army which prevented the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s attempts to change the status quo, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

On Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the defense minister said that Pakistan has no status there because it illegally occupied the region.

“Indian Parliament has unanimously approved at least three resolutions stating that PoK is part of India,” he said.

Singh also mentioned the deal between US defense company General Electric Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. to co-produce engines for the F-414 fighter jets in India.

“With this deal, we will become the fourth country to manufacture jet engines. Tejas aircraft will be equipped with these engines made in India,” he said.

Singh touched on measures taken by the government to enhance national security, including strengthening border infrastructure and achieving ‘Atmanirparata’ (self-reliance) in defence.

He outlined a number of steps taken to achieve self-reliance, which included notification of positive localization lists and allocating 75 percent of the defense capital procurement budget to domestic industry in 2023-24.

“India does not want to depend on imported weapons. Our national security will only be enhanced when we become self-reliant in defense manufacturing,” Singh said.

“Our aim is ‘Made in India, Made for the World’,” he said. “Our efforts are paying off. Today, we are making tanks, aircraft carriers, submarines and different kinds of weapons.”

“Defense exports have crossed Rs 16,000 crore from a meager Rs 900 crore before 2014. Exports will soon touch the Rs 20,000 crore mark,” he said.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)