Sukna (Darjeeling), Oct 25 (UNI) India always wants peace along its borders with China, and there is a need for a speedy resolution of the recent border tensions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said after performing the "Shastra Puja" on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami at the Sukna War Memorial in Darjeeling district of West Bengal on Sunday.
Singh, who is on a two day tour to Sukna in and Sikkim, reached Sukna-based 33 Corps headquarters in the hill district today morning and offered his tributes to the martyrs.
He also Alternate alignment Gangtok-Nathula Road connecting Gangtok to 'Nathu La', constructed by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Sikkim through video conferencing from here.
Earlier today Singh tweeted, ‘‘A very happy Vijay Dashmi to all the countrymen. Today, on this occasion I will be visiting Nathu-la and interacting with troops. I will also attend the shastra puja ceremony."
Defence Minister's visit to Sukna and Sikkim is being viewed as a morale booster to the Indian soldiers amid the simmering border tensions with China.
The Centre has taken several measures to strengthen the defence infrastructure in areas bordering China after the brutal face off at Ladakh's Galwan Valley in June last and following attempts by China to change the LAC status quo in Sikkim.
“India always wants good relations with all its neighbouring countries, we have always made an effort for the same. But our jawans have had to sacrifice their lives from time to time to protect our borders, integrity and universality,” he said.
“This time in Galwan, our 20 jawans of Bihar Regiment sacrificed themselves to protect our motherland...The nation and its boundaries are secure due to you,” he added.
The defence minister was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
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