PM 2

Hailing the security forces for securing the nation's
interest, apart from disaster mitigation, the Prime Minister
said the armed forces "deserve the best" and assured them of
government's support to ensure this.
"Our armed forces deserve the best and I wish to assure
you that the government will make every effort to ensure this.
No country can make progress without ensuring its security and
territorial integrity," he said.
Asking the defence forces to set higher standards for
their modernisation in view of economy growing and
technological capabilities expanding, Singh said, "It is not
enough for us to keep pace with change. When it comes to
defence capability, we must be ahead of the technology curve."
Terming defence modernisation as "a complex task," Singh
said, "If it is to be effective, it must involve the full
chain starting with updating our war fighting doctrines to
meet new threats to our security, preparation of appropriate
staff quality requirements and creating a broad-based
production and delivery infrastructure on the ground."
Noting that border infrastructure was an integral part of
defence preparedness, he said this involved not just the land
borders, but also ensuring appropriate coastal security for
which several measures had been initiated.
"But it is important that all ministries and departments
work in close coordination to ensure timely implementation of
existing plans. It is necessary to approach this task with a
sense of urgency," he added.
Describing Naxalism as "a serious challenge" to internal
security, the Prime Minister said the government would do all
that was necessary to protect each and every citizen of the
country and deal firmly with those, who resorted to violence.
"This is a collective task involving the Centre and the
states. At the same time, we have to accelerate our
development efforts in the Naxal-affected areas and make our
administrative machinery more sensitive and responsive to
local concerns," he added.
Pointing out that the nation's strength flowed from the
strength of its institutions, values and economic
competitiveness, Singh said if India was looked upon today
with respect and seen as a force for the future, it was
because of the stable and orderly fashion in which the country
was transforming the lives of its people.
"Transformation on such a scale, within the framework of
a democratic and pluralistic society, has not been seen in the
world before. If we succeed, our example will have
repercussions for the new global order," he added. (MORE) PTI
NCB RET
MRD


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next