New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) India has to become self-reliant as well as be a robust force in the defence sector, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Wednesday.
"Apart from becoming 'atma nirbhar' (self-reliant) in defence, we have to be a robust army as well. Empowered not to attack or capture, but to establish peace and non-violence in the world. I am happy that we are going towards self-reliance in this sector," he stated.
The remarks from the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways came during his address at an event organised by FICCI and Netaji Subash Bose-INA Trust to commemorate 'Azad Hind Haqoomat Day' and 125th birth anniversary year of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.
Referring to last month's landing operation of fighter jets on a highway in Rajasthan's Barmer, the Union Minister said all under-construction 20 highways can be used as air strips as well.
He said, "Whether it is missiles or drones, we are progressing in every field and heading towards becoming self-reliant. We have to build Netaji's India and should move towards that direction."
Recalling Bose in his speech, the Union Minister said the country can never forget his contribution to the freedom struggle.
"We can never forget the sacrifice made by those who had laid down their lives and fought for India's Independence, specially Netaji. Now, the onus is upon the youth of the country to fulfill the dream of Netaji," he remarked.
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