India strong enough to defend borders against any threat, Modi declares

NEW DELHI — India is strong enough to defend its borders against any threat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an Independence Day speech as the nation faces a frontier showdown with China and aggravated tensions with Pakistan.

“Security is our top priority,” Mr Modi told thousands packed into the landmark Red Fort in New Delhi yesterday as India marked the 70th anniversary of the end of British colonial rule.

“Be it the sea or the borders, cyber or space — in all spheres, India is capable and we are strong enough to overcome those who try to act against our country,” the Hindu nationalist leader declared.

Mr Modi, however, did not mention the targets of his warning, unlike his comments from three previous Independence Day speeches.

His remarks came as a dispute between India and China over a strategic Himalayan plateau enters a third month today. Hundreds of soldiers are reported to be facing off against each other at Doklam.

The giant neighbours share a long history of mistrust and went to war in 1962 over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

China’s state-controlled media has repeatedly warned that a conflict could break out over Doklam.

India has urged a diplomatic solution to the stand-off. The dispute started on June 16 when Chinese troops started to build a road on territory that it disputes with Bhutan. Indian troops moved in to stop the construction as India is a close ally of Bhutan.

India is also mired in conflict in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, where it has disputed sovereignty with Pakistan since their bitter split in 1947.

India accuses Pakistan of sending “terrorists” across the border to fight security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Mr Modi also said during his speech that “the concern for national security is a natural one in an independent India”.

“Our security forces have always shown their capabilities whenever on duty. Whether it is terrorism or infiltrators, our security personnel have always been ready for sacrifice,” he noted.

India carried out what it called “surgical strikes” in Pakistan in September last year after insurgents attacked an army base on the Indian side of the Kashmir border, killing 18 soldiers.

“When the surgical strike was carried out, the world came to know about the power that India possesses,” Mr Modi said in his speech.

He added that “bullets and abuses” cannot bring peace in Kashmir —where there are an estimated 500,000 Indian troops — but also accused Kashmiri separatists of “scheming”.

The Prime Minister did not mention the 1947 partition that saw the creation of Muslim-dominated Pakistan and Hindu-majority India. At least one million people died in the chaotic aftermath of the split, and 15 million were uprooted in the brutal mass migration.

Mr Modi also focused his comments on efforts to clamp down on corruption and his economic reforms. A year ago, a government move to cancel more than 85 per cent of India’s banknotes caused widespread chaos.

He noted that the move had brought US$46 billion (S$62.8 billion) of currency into the legitimate banking system.

More than 300,000 shell companies funded by undeclared finance had been uncovered through irregular transactions. The licences of more than 100,000 of the firms have been cancelled, he added.

According to Mr Modi, 1.8 million people have been found whose income outstrips their declared wealth. About 450,000 have admitted their “mistakes”, the premier added.

“India is celebrating honesty today. The corrupt have no place to hide any more.” AFP