‘Reforms strengthened deterrence, stability; coordinated efforts against terrorism, insurgency improved overall security environment’
New Delhi, Jun 17: Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi led regime for fundamentally transforming country’s national security architecture over the past 12 years, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that the decisive steps like policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, cross-border operations, abrogation of Article 370 and sustained efforts to curb insurgency and Naxalism have led to India emerging as a strong and secure nation.
In a statement marking 12 years of the PM Modi led government, Shah, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said India has emerged as a strong and secure nation capable of protecting its citizens and responding firmly to threats against its sovereignty.
Highlighting the government’s approach towards terrorism, Shah said India has moved away from what he described as a defensive posture and adopted a strategy of swift and decisive action.
He termed surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor as examples of India’s willingness to target terrorist infrastructure beyond its borders.
According to Shah, Operation Sindoor marked a significant shift in India’s response doctrine, with security forces destroying nine terror camps and eliminating more than 100 terrorists.
He said the operation reflected the government’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and strengthened India’s deterrence capabilities.
The Home Minister also cited the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as a major step in strengthening national integration and internal security. He said the move helped establish a new security paradigm and contributed to greater stability in the region.
Shah said incidents of stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir had come down significantly, while security measures along the country’s borders had been strengthened. He noted that around 93 per cent of the border with Pakistan and nearly 80 per cent of the border with Bangladesh had been fenced to improve surveillance and prevent infiltration.
NAXAL VIOLENCE WITNESSED STEEP DECLINE
Referring to efforts against Left Wing Extremism, Shah said Naxal violence had witnessed a steep decline under the Modi government.
He said hundreds of districts that were once affected by Naxal influence had witnessed considerable improvement, while thousands of insurgents had surrendered. The government, he added, had allocated substantial funds for security operations, training and rehabilitation in affected regions.
The Union Home Minister also highlighted steps taken in the Northeast, saying more than a dozen peace accords signed over the years had contributed to a decline in insurgency and improved stability across the region. He said violence in the Northeast had reduced considerably, enabling greater focus on development and connectivity.
FROM RS 46000 CR DEFENCE PRODUCTION HAS INCREASED TO RS 1.5 LAKH CRORE
On defence preparedness, Shah said the government’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat had significantly boosted domestic defence manufacturing. He said defence production had increased from about Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to nearly Rs 1.5 lakh crore, supported by policy reforms and a focus on indigenous production.
He said thousands of defence-related items had been identified for indigenisation, while investments in military modernisation, border infrastructure, defence satellites and indigenous weapons systems had strengthened India’s strategic capabilities.
Shah said the achievements of the past 12 years reflected the government’s commitment to safeguarding national interests and ensuring security across the country. He asserted that India’s response to security challenges now serves as an example of decisive governance and national resolve. (KNO)
