New Delhi [India]: Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande on Friday said that India's stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is a good example where India stood steadfast and clear towards addressing legitimate pursuits of our national interest.
Addressing the 118th annual session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at Vigyan Bhawan here, the Indian Army Chief said that our foreign policy and diplomacy are playing a crucial role at this moment.
"The dividends are evident in our pursuits as part of a bilateral and multilateral grouping, international solar alliance, global bio-fuel alliance, coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure, trade agreement extending line of credit and championing initiatives for finding solutions to global problems," Manoj Pande said.
He further said that we are today propelled by the ideas to witness a new revolution adding that the recent G20 summit marks a rise of India.
"With its economic heft, China has been looking at geopolitical and trade agreements as a zero-sum game. Concurrently, Chinese belligerence is evident in its continuous propensity to project power outside its region and present a threat to rule-based organisations," the Army chief said.
"The resolute and firm manner in which we stood up to our northern adversary during the events of April-May 2020 has made the world take notice of our political and military resolve of a rising India. Many nations today also appear ready to take our Northern adversary on various issues head-on," he added.
He further said that our endeavours are for Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. We continue to hold trials and provisioning for Research and development.
The Army chief further called the Agnipath scheme a path-breaking initiative and said that Agniveers will stand empowered after four years.
Agnipath is a scheme wherein selected candidates will be enrolled as Agniveers for a four-year period. After a 4-year period, Agniveers will go to society as a disciplined, dynamic, and skilled workforce for employment in other sectors.
Based on organisational requirements, Agniveers will be offered the opportunity to apply for a permanent cadre. Up to 25 per cent of Agniveers will be selected for enrollment in the Armed Forces as regular cadres.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also addressed the 118th annual session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and said that democracy is very deep-rooted in the country and that has been the biggest achievement as a nation in the last 75 years.
"G20, the success of Chandrayaan-3, Mission Aditya L-1 and the passing of the Women's Reservation Bill, all these events have filled the country with new energy... The country has completed the journey of 75 years and in the past 75 years, we have made several achievements in every sector... We have proved ourselves at the international forum," Shah said.
Shah also congratulated the team of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) for choosing the theme “Rising India: Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai,” for the summit.
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has been working as a catalyst for the promotion of Indian industry, trade and entrepreneurship for the past 118 years. It is a forward-looking, proactive and dynamic PAN-India apex organization.
—ANI