Leh (Ladakh) [India], September 22 : Ladakh Lieutenant Governor BD Mishra commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre for the leadership and its tackling of the defence matters.
Mishra lauded the "multi-pronged manner" in which the present government is handling the defence matters, saying, "The present leadership in the country is tackling and it is going ahead in defence matters in a multi-pronged manner. And this coming from a man who is not a military man himself, it is quite creditable, very creditable."
"As far as our defence preparedness on our northern borders is concerned, I must tell you that here in Ladakh, we have both LAC and LOC. We have two enemies, and we have fought wars with them, not in our position. They have attacked every time. They have attacked the secretive. Our prime minister Narendra Modi ji says, We don't want war, but we'll defend ourselves. In that ever since this government has come, their attention has gone on preparedness on the borders, and that is evident from their strike, which we launched against Pakistan," Mishra said while addressing the media at the Army's Himtech Symposium 2024 event on Saturday.
He highlighted the duty administration in the region and the development of infrastructure collaborating with the Border Roads Organisation.
"I find that the military is very good, and as far as duty administration is concerned, we are developing infrastructure, we are developing roads, and all the proposals that come to me from BRO without delay are sanctioned," he said.
"One thing I want to tell you. India is not a poor country now. We are not poor. Ladakh is not a poor Indian territory now. India, by the grace of God and the support of Narendra Modi Ji, is spending in the right way on the right issues, and in that, the defence of the country is the top, and defense is prerequisite for any development, any progress, any MNT for the people. We are paying full attention to all the rumours that are there now. Whatever territory was lost in 1962 or around that period, that territory is British adversaries. But no losses have taken place now because we are very determined and China knows that we will defend to the last man," he added.
"I'm over 85 years of age, but I will go on the front with a gun to oppose the adversary and let him not come. Come on. And this is the determination of the nation that matters in the defence of the country. And the strength, willpower, and political commitment of the man who is the head of the government of the country," Mishra said.
Mishra criticised those opposing the Agniveer scheme as he emphasised the merits of the scheme and added that anyone speaking against such a scheme is not speaking in "national sense."
"I don't know whether anybody has met any Agniveer. I have been around, I have met all the Agniveers. So when the Agniveer project came, the plan came, unfortunately, in our country, unfortunately, there was sabotage, vandalism, and government property was very, very, I would say, irresponsibly destroyed... Anybody who is making false propaganda about the disadvantages of this Agnipath project, not in the national sense, sorry to say, boarding on anti-national. Agnveer is a very good project, and I like that the army always goes in for reform, modification, and a and a better process. So having experience now, they may modify it to the extent that is optimal. That is what I will say," Mishra said.