“Hai Mujhe Saugandh Bharat, Bhulu Na Ek Kshann Tujhe, Rakt Ki Har Boondi Meri, Hai Mera Arpan Tujhe.” These phrases resonate in each step taken by Narendra Damodardas Modi over the past decade as Prime Minister of Bharat. As he turns 74 on September 17, one should acknowledge the staunch patriot in him. A visionary chief who has tirelessly endeavoured to set Bharat on the trail to Atmanirbharta or self-sufficiency. There are numerous facets to PM Modi’s governance mannequin. Nonetheless, that is an try to give attention to the systematic shift of Bharat’s notion earlier than 2014 as a delicate nation and weak hyperlink to a robust, assured, and reliable nation over the past 10 years. From non-aligned and largely submissive to asserting strategic autonomy and an aggressively defensive posture, Bharat beneath PM Modi has seen a major psych improve. This hasn’t been simple, and that is removed from full. We have now nearly launched into this journey and have a protracted solution to go. Pattern this, the entire size of India’s land and sea borders is 15,106.7 kilometres of land and seven,516.6 kilometres of shoreline. We share our land borders with 9 nations of which some are hostile. Almost 6,000 km of our land borders stay unfenced or not clearly outlined. This can be a critical safety problem. There may be additionally a perennial two-front problem on the jap and western sides of Bharat and within the final decade, each side have seen important exercise.
In February 2014, AK Antony, the then defence minister, instructed the nation that the defence ministry had used up 92% of its finances and had no cash to purchase the much-needed Rafale fighter jets and that every one main offers must wait till April 1.
Bharat was susceptible. The enemy was chipping away at our sovereign territory through salami slicing on the one facet and with a four-decade proxy struggle on the opposite. Then there was the intense problem of narco-religious forces quietly working to destabilise the north-east states, particularly alongside the Myanmar border. Our shoreline was additionally susceptible with the specter of one other assault like 26/11 through the ocean looming massive. The adversary’s warships had began swirling dangerously near our waters.
There was rather a lot to be finished. Regardless of the various challenges and obstacles, Modi & Group began the restore work. Work on border roads and infrastructure was initiated, and veterans have been roped in through assume tanks to recommend efficient methods to show issues round. OROP introduced within the required perception that beneath Modi, there was an intent to get issues finished.
In the meantime, PM Modi tried to speak peace with pesky neighbours with the hope that they’d take a step if he took two. Nonetheless, actuality bit and bit arduous. 2016 examined Bharat’s resolve and mettle with Pathankot and Uri. Apparently, there was a major shift in PM Modi’s method. Whereas Pakistan was given some leeway post-Pathankot assault, Uri was responded to with extreme punishment. The surgical strike was a lesson for each Bharat and Pakistan.
Bharat beneath Modi desires peace however will punish people who take its affinity for non-violence as a weak point. The sturdy, muscular but benign posture began taking form right here. And the world took discover.
The Crimson Line with Pakistan was drawn. The method of systematic and thorough strategic demolition of Pakistan had begun. The surgical strike was the primary web page within the Isolate Pakistan playbook being developed beneath PM Modi.
◆ SEPT 2016: India conducts surgical Ssrikes inside PoK to remove terrorists accountable for the Uri assaults; sends a robust sign to Pakistan
◆ SEPT 2016: India pulls out of SAARC summit to be hosted by Pakistan, three different international locations comply with, Pakistan utterly remoted
◆ JUNE 2018: India’s diplomatic efforts profitable as Pakistan is formally positioned on FATF’s gray listing regardless of China’s nefarious backing
◆ FEB 2019: India for the primary time crosses the Worldwide border, to enter mainland Pakistan to launch an aerial assault on ISI-backed terrorists in Balakot. That is adopted by Pak’s try to assault India and later being shamed and compelled to launch Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman
◆ AUG 2019: Ultimate blow to Pakistan’s proxy struggle in Kashmir as India abrogates Article 370, making the Structure of India relevant to Kashmir
“Saugandh Mujhe Iss Mitti Ki, Major Desh Nahi Jhukne Doonga” was the promise that PM Modi made post-Balakot and carried by means of quickly after coming to energy once more in 2019. fifth August 2019 shall be a red-letter day perpetually in Bharat’s historical past. Bharat turned one nation with one structure within the true sense today. The abrogation of Article 370 was a game-changer. With this enormous transfer, PM Modi and his authorities put paid to the machinations of the enemy that wished to sever J&Okay out of Bharat. It was a tectonic shift most ably managed. And, this harm not simply Pakistan however China too.
Two months post-Balakot, Modi performed host to Xi Jinping in Mahabalipuram. The hassle to make peace with one other adversary was evident. However quickly after India walked out of RCEP in November 2019. It was clear to the federal government beneath PM Modi that RCEP wasn’t serving to Bharat. On the peak of the Covid first wave, the PLA made its transfer. Galwan occurred. However in contrast to prior to now, Bharat didn’t meekly give up and yield extra of its sovereign territory to the bully. Bharat determined to counter China in equal measure if no more. PLA troopers have been shocked on the bloody nostril that they obtained. PM Modi himself went to Ladakh and additional embellished Bharat’s modified posture with Veer Bhogya Vasundhara. Solely the sturdy and courageous get to take pleasure in the advantages of the earth. Bharat instructed the entire world that it now not shirks from flexing muscle and if required will defend its borders with aggression.
The federal government beneath PM Modi struck a number of telling blows to ship a robust message to the CCP-led China.
◆ JUNE 2020: China tries mischief at Galwan. India forcefully thwarts try. Within the conflict as many as 38 Chinese language troopers are killed. China formally admits simply 4 deaths on its facet
◆ JUNE 2020: India bans TikTok and 38 different Chinese language apps
◆ JULY 2020: Modi visits Leh, boosts forces’ morale saying, “Enemies of Mom India have seen your hearth and your fury as properly”
◆ SEPT 2023: India’s branding showcase outcomes as Reuters notes that US and European companies are shifting funding away from China to India. It didn’t cease right here. The PM pushed for Atmanirbhar Bharat and began aggressively coveting nations that have been transferring onto China + 1 plank for his or her manufacturing and sourcing wants.
◆ RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF QUAD TO COUNTER CHINA: In 2017, India, Australia, Japan, and the USA revived the QUAD, a strategic discussion board between the 4 international locations, as an try to counter China’s rising affect within the area. QUAD international locations solely got here nearer publish the 2020-21 India-China skirmishes and have served as a countermeasure/examine on China since
DEFENCE ATMANIRBHARTA AND ITS IMPACT
● The Defence Acquisition Process (DAP) 2020 mandates 50% indigenous content material in procurement contracts, encouraging international OEMs to determine amenities in India
● The Srijan Indigenisation Portal, launched in 2020, helps this with over 34,000 objects listed for indigenisation
● Two defence corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have attracted important investments, together with SAAB’s 100% FDI venture for the Carl Gustav M4 rocket system
● Notable progress contains the INS Vikrant plane service and Challenge 17A frigates, with a give attention to enhancing naval, missile, and digital capabilities
● The Centre has elevated the home capital procurement finances from 40% in 2020-21 to 75% in 2023-24, with 25% of this reserved for personal sector purchases
● India’s defence manufacturing crossed Rs 1,00,000 crore in 2022-23, with a goal of Rs 1,35,000 crore for 2023-24
● DRDO’s Dare to Dream contest fosters start-ups, and 1 / 4 of the R&D finances is allotted to academia and trade. India goals for Rs 35,000 crore in defence exports by 2025
From a weak-minded method of leaving our border infrastructure poor and naked to make it tough for the enemy to enter our territory to modernising and enhancing connectivity at an pressing tempo, PM Modi has re-energised and revolutionised pondering. The enemy is taking word and has been compelled to re-calibrate.
Yearly abstract of roads constructed
BRO had accomplished following 257 border roads of 13,525 km throughout 2017–22:
• Arunachal Pradesh: 64 (3,097-km)
• Ladakh: 43 (3,141-km)
• J&Okay: 61 (2,382-km)
• Himachal Pradesh: (739-km)
• Uttarakhand: 22 (947-km)
• Sikkim: 18 (664-km)
• Rajasthan: 13 (884-km)
• Mizoram: 8 (590-km)
• Manipur: 8 (492-km)
The form of our defence posture is more and more getting extra muscular. But it stays benign. PM Modi has endeavoured to strengthen Bharat each on the bottom, within the air, and within the seas. The S400 anti-missile system deal, the Scorpene deal, Rafale and Apache, are among the many many procurements made within the final ten years, fairly opposite to February 2014. PM Modi has additionally understood the significance of aerial safety. Our house programme with a give attention to defence know-how has grown by leaps and bounds.
INDIA’S SPACE JUMP, WITH ASAT MISSILES, MISSION SHAKTI
● Defence Analysis and Growth Organisation (DRDO) efficiently neutralised a satellite tv for pc in house with its anti-satellite (ASAT) missile on twenty seventh March 2019, in Mission Shakti
● The profitable mission demonstrated DRDO’s technical prowess and talent to defend the nation’s belongings in house, the 4th dimension of warfare
● The mission was one of the vital complicated operations undertaken by DRDO wherein a missile launched from the bottom needed to hit and neutralise with pinpoint accuracy a fast-moving satellite tv for pc in orbit tons of of kilometres away
● India additionally raised its personal Defence Area Company beneath HQ Built-in Defence Workers (HQ IDS), and its technical counterpart, the Directorate of Particular Tasks beneath Defence Analysis and Growth Organisation (DRDO) in October 2018 and operationalised it in June 2019
As PM Modi turns 74, he can take satisfaction in what has been achieved beneath his management within the final decade with respect to enhancing our defence posture. However he can’t relaxation on his laurels. Bharat faces many extra challenges. The enemies on the 2 sides are nonetheless lively. There’s a renewed thrust to the proxy struggle. Medication and drones are getting used together with the standard methodology of pushing in international terrorists through infiltration. The adversary on the jap entrance is scoping all choices to drive an easing of tensions alongside the LAC in order that it could catch us off guard once more. Then there’s a recent entrance brewing. With Manipur on the boil quickly after a regime change in Bangladesh, there’s an imminent risk from narco-religious forces, Islamist forces, and hegemonistic deep states each within the west and the east, to our nationwide safety and territorial integrity. However the place there are issues, there’s alternative, and the place there’s alternative, Options current themselves.
A becoming birthday reminder for a person for whom with no shred of doubt, Bharat comes first.
“Silsila Ye Baad Mere, Yun Hello Chalna Chahiye, Major Rahoon Ya Rahu, Bharat Ye Rahna Chahiye.”
