Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to soldiers, performs Shashtra Puja in Arunachal's Tawang

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid tribute to the soldiers’ at Tawang War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh, and appreciated the soldiers for shouldering the responsibility of guarding the borders.

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pays tribute to the Bravehearts at Tawang War Memorial in Arunachal Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/HeYtwXfawU

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2023

“The tough situation in which you are shouldering the responsibility of guarding the country’s borders – the more it is appreciated, the less it is. I would like to tell you that the countrymen are proud of you. All of you know the importance of your uniform,” he said.

#WATCH | Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says, “The tough situation in which you are shouldering the responsibility of guarding the country’s borders – the more it is appreciated, the less it is. I would like to tell you that the countrymen are proud of… pic.twitter.com/CeLptiW1Mu

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2023

Singh added, “You have kept the borders secure and that is why India’s stature before the world is rising rapidly. All the developed countries accept the reality that in the past 8-9 years, India’s stature has risen. I would like to clearly say that under the leadership of PM Modi, if India’s stature has risen, India has made economic developments, it indeed is important but had you not kept the country’s border secure – this stature would not have been possible.”

The Defence Minister also performed Shashtra Puja at Tawang, held special prayers and will be celebrating Vijayadashami with soldiers.

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performs Shashtra Puja at Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh on #VijayaDashami #Dussehra pic.twitter.com/ZXX6nCBEQQ

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2023

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande is accompanying the Defence Minister during his visit.

Singh also observed the Chinese PLA posts on the other side of the border from Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh.

#WATCH | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh observes Chinese PLA posts on the other side of the border from Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh pic.twitter.com/WtJHjbUfa9

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2023

Earlier this year, Singh visited the Tawang sector to review security preparedness in the sector.

The Tawang sector has seen several instances of transgressions from the Chinese PLA. In December last year, People’s Liberation Army troops had transgressed the LAC in the Tawang Sector, the violation was met by the Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off had led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had then informed Parliament that Chinese forces had tried to “transgress” the Line of Actual Control and “unilaterally change the status quo” in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector in Arunachal Pradesh last week but the Indian troops prevented the bid, resulting in a “physical scuffle leading to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”.

With inputs from ANI