India believes in peace but will protect its soverignity at all costs, says PM Modi

Dedicating the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-IA) to the Nation, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Sunday said, “Our Armed Forces have, time and again shown that they are fully capable of protecting our motherland. Time and again, we have also shown India believes in peace but India will protect its sovereignty at all costs.”

“Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) was handed over to the Army. A tank made in Tamil Nadu will protect our borders. This is a glimpse of Bharat’s Ekta Darshan.”

Speaking after inaugurating works completed at a cost of Rs.4,486.40 crore and laying foundation for new projects to be executed at a cost of Rs.3,640 crore in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister recalled the Pulwama attack that shook the country two years ago. “No Indian can forget this day. Two years ago, Pulwama attack happened. We pay homage to all the martyrs we lost in that attack. We are proud of our security forces. Their bravery will continue to inspire generations,” the Prime Minister said.

“A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in the northern border to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit-Bharat Ekta Darshan,” he said and asserted that India would continue working to make its Armed forces one of the most modern forces in the world and at the same time the focus on making India Atma Nirbhar in the defence sector moves with full speed.

Pointing out that Tamil Nadu is already the leading manufacturing hub of India, Modi said the state was now evolving as a tank manufacturing hub of India. “One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The Corridor has already received an investment commitment to the tune of Rs.8,100 crore.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the extension, renovation and modernization of the Grand Anicut Canal System (Rs.2,640 crore) and also for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras (Rs.1,000 crore). During the event, the Prime Minister handed over the State-of-the-art Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Indian Army.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam spoke on the occasion. State Ministers, AIADMK functionaries including former Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha M Thambidurai, AIADMK Deputy Coordinators KP Munusamy and R Vaithilingam, Leaders of AIADMK’s alliance parties – TMC president GK Vasan, PMK president GK Mani, DMDK’s senior functionaries Azhagapuram Mohanraj and B Parthasarathi, BJP functionaries were present on the occasion.