Modi says military, economic strength essential for Indias peace
NEW DELHI India sees war as the last resort, but needs a strong military and economy to ensure peace, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a speech to soldiers.
India has always opposed war, seen war as the last option, but peace isnt possible without strength, Mr Modi told the troops during his annual practice of celebrating Diwali with them. A country is safe when the border is secure, economy is strong.
In his wide-ranging address, Mr Modi mentioned how India has risen to being the fifth-largest economy in the world, is strengthening both its missile defence system and drone technology, and is taking steps against corruption in the country.
While the comments are not entirely new, the scene and setting offer insight into Indias strategic thinking.
Mr Modi was speaking from Kargil, the theatre of Indias last military conflict with traditional rival Pakistan.
They come a day after President Xi Jinping tightened his grip on China, with whom India is embroiled in territorial and economic disputes. Meanwhile, Russias war in Ukraine has left Mr Modi trying to balance and explain his relationships with both Russia and the United States.
So far, the Biden administration has signalled it is not interested in sanctioning New Delhi over its recent decision to buy the S-400 missile defence system from Russia. Yet friction points are emerging.
India has been pushing back on a price cap on Russian oil suggested by the US as its crude imports surged to cross US$5 billion (S$7.11 billion) in the three months to end-May. India is in talks to buy 30 Predator drones from the US.
Ties between New Delhi and Beijing have not returned to normal following a bloody skirmish along their disputed border in 2020. India has since banned several Chinese apps and is investigating multiple Chinese firms, while wooing global manufacturers to diversify from China by opening factories in India.
You are our shield on the border, Mr Modi told the soldiers. Similarly, in the country, we are battling terrorists, Maoists, corruption. No matter how strong the corrupt, they wont survive.
Mr Modis government on Sunday barred the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation headed by influential opposition leader Sonia Gandhi from accessing foreign donations, local media reported.
Both Mrs Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi have previously been interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate, an Indian government agency that investigates serious financial crime, in connection with corruption allegations. They have denied any impropriety.
The moves come ahead of key state elections in the coming months, most crucially in Mr Modis home state of Gujarat where an early poll predicts his party will retain power, albeit with a lower share of the vote. BLOOMBERG More On This Topic Eyeing China, India unveils high-altitude helicopters India has a $1.6 trillion plan to snatch factories from China
