Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the 'new and powerful India' will give a befitting reply to adversaries and retaliate against any efforts to disrupt peace in the nation. Singh was addressing Shaheed Samman Yatra in honour of 232 war martyrs in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. It would head from Pithoragarh to Dehradun, where the martyrs died.
Though Pakistan makes all efforts to destabilise peace in India, India has sent a clear message to them that we will hit back, he said. Though he didn't take China's name, Singh said that yet another neighbour does not seem to understand things. Singh further hailed the Kumaon battalion and said that the 114 martyred jawan killed over 1,200 Chinese soldiers.
"I went to Rezang La where I was told about the miracle done by 124 jawans of Kumaon battalion. It can never be forgotten. I was told that 114 jawans were martyred, but they killed over 1,200 Chinese soldiers," said Singh, who visited Rezang La on November 18. India wants good ties with its neighbours and never attacked any country, Singh claimed.
"India never occupied a foreign territory. Having good ties with neighbours has been India's culture but some people don't understand this," Singh said.
Talking about Pakistan, the minister said that India had given a clear message on the western border that if it crosses limits, it will not just retaliate but even cross over to its territory and do surgical and airstrikes.