PM Modi says borders “far more secure”, calls for young, battle-ready armed forces

New Delhi: Addressing countrymen from the ramparts of the Red Fort for the 10th time since taking the country’s highest office in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the borders were “far more secure than ever before”.

He also underlined the need for “mega reforms” in the Indian armed forces.

“Today our borders are far more secure. I extend my heartfelt wishes to my jawans, who are patrolling, keeping vigil, and securing our borders, as well as other security forces on our 77th Independence Day,” PM Modi said.

Underlining the need to usher in urgent reforms in the armed forces in view of evolving security challenges, PM Modi said, “Our armed forces should be young and battle-ready. They should be skilled and equipped to wage wars. The process to bring in reforms in the armed forces is already underway.”

The remarks assume significance as India has been locked in a protracted military standoff with China since May 2020 when troopers of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) allegedly tried to alter the status quo of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Galwan Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.

Indian troops thwarted a similar alleged misadventure by the Chinese forces at Yang Tse near Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh in December 2022.

Before addressing fellow countrymen on the 77th Independence Day, PM Modi paid floral tributes at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

PM @narendramodi pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day#IndependenceDay #IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/ItH0nMmICf

— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 15, 2023

Earlier, on Tuesday, PM Modi was received by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other dignitaries on his arrival at the Red Fort and he began his customary address to the nation after raising the tricolour.

“Best wishes on Independence Day. We pay homage to our great freedom fighters and reaffirm our commitment to fulfilling their vision. Jai Hind!,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter, before arriving at the Red Fort.

This year’s Independence Day will culminate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, which were launched by Prime Minister Modi from Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on March 12, 2021, and will usher the country into ‘Amrit Kaal