Three cheers for our space scientists and technocrats who have successfully test fired Agni IV, the 4000-km range nuclear capable ballistic missile from a mobile vehicle at Wheeler Island in Odisha. DRDO, the country’s premier defence research organization deserves full appreciation in contributing immensely towards country’s defence capability. Agni IV comes after successful launch of Agni I, II and III that have already been test-fired successfully. Now that Agni IV has gone through the third and final stage of test and has proved successful to the entire satisfaction of the scientists it will be inducted into our defence forces as a deterrent to any misadventure of our adversary against the territorial integrity of our country.
We are aware that our critics will pose the tricky question that if India claims to be a peaceful country and shuns violence why then should it go on improving its defence capability especially her nuclear capability? But belief in non-violence does not mean that we should become weak enough to be harassed and attacked by our adversary. It means building enough strength to face any challenge at any given time. It has to be reminded that Pakistan imposed four wars on us with proxy war still going on and China imposed one war. Both of them continue their forays of violating the border and entering into our territory to establish their hegemony over the area. We have made it amply clear that India is not going to surrender a single inch of her territory particularly in Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral part of the Indian Union.
Critics inside the country have accused Centre of complacency in retaliating to hostile attitude of our adversary. India has a Government responsible to her people’s representatives. As such she cannot do anything that does not carry the sanction of the law of the land. We have always said and reiterated that India rejects violence as the means of resolving bilateral or multilateral issues. Violence and use of arms bring untold misery and suffering for the people. As such India wants to be the last to opt for the use of violence where issues could be resolved through mutual dialogue. That is testified by India agreeing to resume dialogue with Pakistan despite many hiccups that had derailed the process. It is India that proposed no first use of nuclear option with Pakistan and it is India that has been adhering to the principle of non-proliferation of such weapon.
With significant achievement made in satellite technology, India is now well poised to take long strides in the field of space exploration. Western nuclear fraternity is reluctant to admit her to the world nuclear fraternity despite all necessary certification given. This will not deter India from carrying forward the mission of exploring other planets. The day is not far off when India will occupy her rightful place among technologically advanced nations.
India’s defence preparedness has become unavoidable in view of hostile attitude of two of our neighbouring countries to our West and East. Pakistan and China have entered into unholy alliance of creating tension on the long border of India with their respective countries. There is talk of encirclement of India, presence of Chinese troops in Gilgit-Baltistan, sporadic incursions of Chinese troops in Ladakh and China’s spurious claims over Arunachal Pradesh. There are reports of threatening activities of Chinese naval experts in Pakistani seaport of Gawadar along Makran post. Neither China nor Pakistan is strictly adhering to nuclear non-proliferation treaty. This shows that several layers of encirclement of India are being conceptualized. It will be grave mistake to ignore these threats.
We hail our scientists and technocrats for great service to the security and defence of the country. This singular achievement has been possible only owing to their dedication to duty and sense of patriotism. They are laying an example for the future generations of Indians to carry forward researches in the world of science and technology and not lag behind advanced countries of the world. With greater achievements that our scientists and technocrats will make, world community will be forced to concede us our rightful place which they are so obstinately refusing us today.
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