PM Narendra Modi to witness the exercise of the Indian Army at Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer today

Strength recognises strength...The adage has stood the test of time for millennia, and even in modern-day geopolitical ‘games’, where nations heed the voices of the mighty. And what is this power? One could argue that it is the economy or the financial prowess of any nation. But mere financial prowess is not the only factor. In fact, there are times in world politics when one needs the ‘sticks and carrots approach’ too, and this is where the role of the military comes in handy. Remember the pre-2014 days when the economy was always a ‘concern’ and our military might was made into a ‘showpiece’ whose ‘teeth and claws’ were kept unused? Post-2014, that approach has changed. Not only has Bharat jumped several places to become the fifth biggest economy in the world, but it has also grown as a military power, projecting its soft power and hard power, where necessary, for accomplishing national objectives; case in point, the Surgical Strikes and the Balakot air strikes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has always voiced the need for a strong and self-reliant military, will get a glimpse of the might of the Indian Army as he is proposed to visit Jaisalmer on March 12 to witness the ‘Bharat Shakti’ exercise of the Indian Army at Pokhran Field Firing Range near the Indo-Pak border.

While Modi will also instill enthusiasm among the soldiers of the Army, he will also witness firsthand the capability of indigenous weapons in the presence of top officials, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. The strength of Tejas fighter aircraft, K-9 artillery guns, Indigenous drones, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, and several other pieces of equipment will be displayed in the exercise.

PM Modi’s commitment to the armed forces can be gauged from the fact that, ever since becoming PM, he has spent most Diwalis among the men in uniform in the border areas and spent time with them.

Here’s to the formidable prowess of the Indian Armed Forces, their indomitable spirit, and the commitment of a man to make the Armed Forces the best in the world!

Jai Hind!