“India must seriously strengthen its border infrastructure…”: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

Strengthening of infrastructure
The External Affairs Minister said that despite India’s setback in the 1962 war with China, the country failed to learn any lessons because of its ‘complacency’ and ‘neglect’ attitude towards infrastructure in border areas until Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Modi-led government has not started work in the security sector. He said that the present government is strengthening infrastructure with the seriousness it deserves.

Safety factors are taken seriously
Addressing the third convocation of the National Defense University (RRU), the Union Minister said that India has seriously incorporated security factors into its diplomatic strategy. “Weapons acquisition and development and manufacturing capabilities are a key part not only of our defense policies, but also of our diplomacy,” he said.

He said that logistics (logistics supply) is important for security and war, but it has been a neglected dimension till recent years.

He said that if we take the border areas adjacent to China as an example, the statistics will show itself that construction of roads is double, bridges and tunnels are tripled today compared to the commitment and achievements of the last decades. The budget for border infrastructure is fourfold.

“Focus on making the way”
Jaishankar said, “It is not just the length and number of roads, tunnels and bridges, but this also affects our ‘operational’ capabilities. In the last decade we saw all-weather connectivity with Ladakh and Tawang, now the Line of Actual Control (LAC). ) to reach every important pass along the route and focus on building the world’s highest transportable road.”

He said that ‘complacency’ and ‘neglect’ in the field of security could cost the country dearly, as the country had seen in 1962. He said, “Sadly, the lessons of 1962 have clearly not been learned by those who came later. It’s just that we are treating border infrastructure with the seriousness it deserves.”

Jaishankar said that development and use of new technology along with reforms in units like the Border Road Organization (BRO) are showing results. Jaishankar said that India faces extraordinary challenges even by conventional measures of security assessment.

He said that strong efforts have been made in the last decade especially to address the shortcomings and the overall growth in the country’s strength in various sectors since 2014 has clearly had a positive impact on the security sector.

“It has been an iconic achievement of Indian diplomacy that we have been able to build relationships with multiple and often competing powers on our side,” he said.

The External Affairs Minister said that economic and technological capabilities go hand in hand and both are equally important for India’s security. He said that the progress of nations and history is largely reflected in the progress of technology.

“Separatist forces should have no place”
Earlier, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the convocation, Jaishankar expressed concern over incidents of vandalism and anti-India slogans written on the walls of the US-based temple, saying that extremists and separatist forces should not be affected. Location outside India.

“The case is under investigation”
Responding to a question about the incident, Jaishankar said, “I have seen the news. As you know, we are concerned about this. Extremists and separatist forces should have no place outside India. Whatever happens.” Our consulate in the US has applied. A complaint with the (US) government and the police there, and I’m sure the matter is being investigated.”

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