News Analysis India

Tag: Rajnath Singh

  • Lakshmi does not ride bicycle or elephant, visits people on lotus: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    AMETHI: Goddess Lakshmi does not visit people on a bicycle or an elephant but goes around sitting in a lotus, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said here on Sunday, seeking to link peoples’ prosperity and state’s development with the BJP’s poll symbol.

    Addressing an election rally in Jagdishpur near here, Singh said only the BJP is the true well-wisher of the poor and the weak.

    “Goddess Lakshmi never goes to anyone’s house riding a cycle or an elephant or on (someone’s) hand. Goddess Lakshmi visits people only sitting on a lotus,” said Singh.

    “The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ujjwala Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana are the indicators of goddess Lakshmi’s arrival,” he added.

    The defence minister said even international agencies have said only the BJP is running a good government in India. The BJP has fulfilled whatever promises it had made, he added.

    Attacking the Samajwadi Party, he said, “Socialism (Samajwad) has not even touched the Samajwadi Party. Socialism makes the society free from the fear and crime which is what the BJP is doing,” he said.

    Without naming any political party, he said, “Had the previous governments honestly fulfilled their announcements, our country would not have lagged. They have breached the trust of the people. But will not break the faith that the people have reposed in us. The country is moving ahead at a fast pace today,” the defence minister said.

    The defence minister said with the co-operation of Russia, AK-203 rifles and missiles will now be made in Amethi. The weapons for our armed forces are now being made in the country, he added.

    Amethi will go to the polls on February 27 in the fifth phase of the seven-phase UP assembly elections.

  • Rajnath calls on Manipur militants to shun violence, come for peace talks

    By PTI

    IMPHAL: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on insurgent outfits in Manipur to shun violence and come for peace talks with the Centre.

    Speaking at a programme at Langthabal in Imphal West district on Monday, Singh said that the Union government is ready for dialogue with the insurgent groups if they wish to return to the mainstream.

    “We are ready for talks with militants. Violence in Manipur has been the lowest in the last five years. Insurgency has reduced drastically. The BJP will put an end to violence and bring lasting peace and development in the region,” he said.

    Singh said that the Centre is committed to resolving unemployment, poverty and other issues plaguing Manipur for years, and boost tourism to increase the state’s revenues.

    The defence minister exuded confidence that the BJP will win an absolute majority in the upcoming assembly elections in Manipur.

    He said that Northeast lags behind other parts of the country in terms of development due to “anti-people” policies of the previous Congress governments.

    “The Congress had neglected the region, and its anti-development policies reflect its anti-Northeast sentiment. After becoming PM, Atal Behari Vajpayee had formed a separate ministry for the development of the region. However, after his government was defeated in 2004, the region was continuously neglected for the next 10 years.”

    “However, Manipur has witnessed speedy development since the BJP came to power in the state in 2017. Five years back, the state was engulfed by violence, which has now ended. People of the state have witnessed development and good governance under the BJP,” he added.

  • Goons roamed freely and there were riots in Uttar Pradesh when SP was in power: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    KASGANJ: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said while the BJP has ensured good law and order as well as development in Uttar Pradesh, goons used to roam freely and there were riots when the Samajwadi Party was in power.

    He also said that now goons and the mafia do not get protection, “but bulldozers are run over their illegal properties”.

    “I want to know why riots always happened during the SP’s (Samajwadi Party) government. Why did goons and miscreants roam freely in their regime,” Singh said while campaigning here for next month’s assembly elections in the state. Voting will be held in Kasaganj on February 20 in the third phase of the seven phase polls. Highlighting the achievements of the BJP government in the state, Singh claimed that “not a single riot took place in the five years of the BJP government”.

    The previous government in the state was that of the SP, which was defeated by the BJP in the 2017 assembly polls.

    Lauding the state government for the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, he said that “when the law and order situation is good, development also takes place rapidly”.

    “Today if Uttar Pradesh is witnessing development, then there is better law and order behind it. Now goons, mafia do not get protection, but bulldozers are run over their illegal properties,” he added.

    Singh attacked opposition SP, Bahujan Samaj Party and Congress, saying those who get cut from their roots becomes like a kite with broken thread.

    Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he assured voters that “we will do development and also save our heritage”.

    In his address, Singh sought support of voters and asked them to help the BJP in forming a majority government in the state.

  • Rajnath Singh is recovering well after tested Covid-19 positive: Defence Ministry

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who tested Covid-19 on Monday was examined by a team of doctors from Army Hospital (R and R), Delhi Cantt, informed A Bharat Bhushan Babu, Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence on Tuesday.

    “A team of doctors from Army Hospital (R and R), Delhi Cantt examined Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who had tested Covid positive, yesterday. He is recovering well,” said A Bharat Bhushan Babu.

    The Union Defence Minister went under home quarantine as he had mild symptoms after getting infected with the coronavirus infection.

  • Roads, buildings in Cantonments should be renamed after soldiers who shaped modern India: Rajnath Singh

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday suggested to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as well as Directorate General Defence Estates (DGDE) to consider renaming roads and buildings in Cantonment areas after the brave soldiers and stalwarts who played a central role in building modern India.

    “Even after 75 years of Independence, there are some roads and buildings in the Cantonment areas which have been named after the loyals of the British colonial, their officers and soldiers. I would like to give a suggestion that the MoD and the DGDE Should consider that all these roads and buildings be renamed after our brave soldiers and creator of modern India,” Singh said.

    He, however, maintained that the suggestion is not motivated by any narrow mentality, stressing that the British officers or soldiers who did a commendable job for the betterment of the people must be respectfully recognised and introduced to the future generations.

    The Defence Minister said this in his address on the occasion of 96th Raising Day of Directorate General Defence Estates. Rajnath Singh gave away Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence 2021 to DGDE personnel for innovation and digital achievements in the fields of health, education and sanitation along with public service and land management.

    Congratulating the award winners, Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that the awards will encourage all the winning organisations to work for the betterment of Cantonment Boards.

    Rajnath Singh lauded the efforts of the DGDE towards management of 17.98 lakh acres of land and the civil administration of 62 cantonments across the country. He appreciated the fact that the DGDE is constantly striving to provide modern facilities to Cantonment areas and meet the growing aspirations of the military officers, soldiers, their families as well as the civilian population of more than 20 lakh people.

    The Defence Minister commended the Cantonment Boards for providing public services, comprehensive medical care and tele-medicine facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the second wave. “The Cantonment hospitals have upgraded their infrastructure on a war footing and are now ready to face any challenge,” he added.

     The Minister also commended Cantonment Boards for their initiative to renovate 75 water bodies across the country as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ commemorating 75 years of Independence.

    MoS (Defence) Ajay Bhatt, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Sanjiv Mittal, DGDE Ajay Kumar Sharma and other senior civil and military officials of MoD were present on the occasion.

  • Air Marshal Manavendra Singh to lead inquiry in IAF chopper crash that killed Gen Bipin Rawat, 12 others

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched a tri-services Court of Inquiry (CoI) to look into every aspect of the ill-fated MI-17 V5 Helicopter which crashed in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday leading to the death of India’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and 12 others.

    The Defence Minister said, “IAF has ordered a tri-service inquiry into the military chopper crash. The investigation will be led by Air Marshal Manavendra Singh.”

    The inquiry team reached Wellington on Wednesday itself and started the investigation, said Rajnath Singh during his address to the lawmakers in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha on Thursday.

    ​ALSO READ | RIP CDS General Bipin Rawat: Experts stunned as ‘safest’ flying machine plunges to tragedy

    The last rites of the mortal remains of CDS and the others will be done with full military honours, added Rajnath Singh.

    Air Marshal Manavendra Singh is currently the Air Officer Commander in Chief, Training Command which takes care of the entire training related issues of the IAF. 

    Air Marshal Singh was Commissioned in December 1982 and is himself a helicopter pilot with an experience of more than 6600 flying hours. Among the other appointments during his long career he also has served as the Director General Inspection and Flight Safety. 

    ​ALSO READ | RIP CDS General Bipin Rawat: Multi-faceted officer will be remembered also as a great thinker

    Thirteen of the 14 people on board the helicopter died in the crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

    CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, his wife, Defence Advisor Brigadier Lakhvinder Singh Lidder, Lt. Col. Harjinder Singh and Air force Helicopter crew along with nine other Armed forces personnel.

    The names of the other nine, as read out by the minister are, Wing Commander Prithvi Singh Chauhan, Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh, JWO Rana Pratap Das, JWO Arakkal Pradeep, Havaldar Satpal Rai, Naik Gursevak Singh, Naik Jitendra Kumar, Lance Naik Vivek Kumar, Lance Naik B Sai Teja.

    Tamil Nadu CM #MKStalin and Telangana Governor #TamilisaiSoundararajan paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of CDS Gen #BipinRawat and others who died in a #HelicopterCrash in Tamil Nadu’s #Coonoor.Express photos | @rk_clicks. pic.twitter.com/1EFDWupR02
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) December 9, 2021

  • India, Russia conclude AK-203 deal, renew 10-year pact for military cooperation

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: India and Russia have signed a number of agreements, contracts and protocols covering small arms and military cooperation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu.

    “India deeply appreciates Russia’s strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region. Glad that a number of Agreements/Contracts/Protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation,” Rajnath Singh tweeted.

    India deeply appreciates Russia’s strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region.Glad that a number of Agreements/Contracts/Protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation.
    — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 6, 2021
    He also called the talks with Shoigu “productive, fruitful and substantial,” adding that “India values its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia.”

    India and Russia on Monday signed the agreements for the procurement of 6,01,427 assault rifles AK-203 through Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd, under the military-technical cooperation arrangement for 2021-31.

    ALSO READ | 2+2 ministerial dialogue will turn into efficient platform: Russian FM Sergey Lavrov

    Another agreement was signed on Protocol on amending agreement on cooperation in the field of Kalashnikov series small arms manufacturing dated February 18, 2019.

    The first 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is underway between the Russian and Indian ministers at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan here on Monday.

    External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are holding discussions with their Russian counterparts Sergey Lavrov and Sergey Shoigu.

    “A milestone in the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. EAM Dr SJaishankar and RM Rajnath Singh welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu for the inaugural India-Russia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

    “Further reinforcing the unique, enduring and mutually beneficial nature of our strategic partnership. The inaugural #IndiaRussia 2+2 Dialogue gets underway, with political and defence issues of mutual interest on the agenda,” Bagchi added.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Monday.

    The head of the states will take stock of the state and prospects of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further improve the strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi.

  • Ahead of Parliament session, government calls all-party meet on Sunday; PM likely to attend

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Ahead of the winter session of Parliament, the government has called an all-party meeting on Sunday, which is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said on Monday.

    The floor leaders of all the political parties from both houses of Parliament have been invited to the meeting, they added.

    Besides Modi, senior Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, will represent the government at the meeting.

    The winter session of Parliament assumes significance as the government will table a bill to repeal three contentious farm laws, which is expected to witness a heated debate in both houses.

    The bill is expected to be passed at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

    During the upcoming Parliament session, the Opposition is also likely to raise the issue of phone-tapping using the Pegasus spyware.

    On Sunday evening, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has called a meeting of the floor leaders of the Upper House of Parliament.

    Similarly, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to call a meeting of the floor leaders of the Lower House on November 27.

  • Some irresponsible nations with hegemonic tendencies twisting definition of UNCLOS: Rajnath Singh

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Taking a dig at China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said “some irresponsible nations” with their narrow partisan interests and hegemonic tendencies are coming up with wrong definitions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    It is a matter of concern that UNCLOS is being repeatedly weakened by arbitrary interpretation of its definition by some nations, Singh said, after commissioning of Indian Navy’s destroyer Visakhapatnam here.

    “Some irresponsible nations, with their narrow partisan interests, hegemonic tendencies are coming with wrong definitions of international laws,” Singh said.

    Indigenously-built stealth guided missile destroyer Visakhapatnam, packed with an array of missiles and anti-submarine rockets, was commissioned in presence of top naval commanders.

    ‘Visakhapatnam’ is equipped with lethal weapons and sensors, including supersonic surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, medium and short-range guns, anti-submarine rockets and advanced electronic warfare and communication suits, officials said.

  • New, powerful India will give befitting reply to Pakistan for efforts to destabilize country’s peace: Rajnath Singh

    By ANI

    PITHORAGARH: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that the ‘new and powerful India’ will give a befitting reply to any efforts made by Pakistan to destabilize peace in the country.

    Singh, who was addressing the Shaheed Samman Yatra in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh, said, “Pakistan makes all efforts to destabilize peace in India but we have sent a clear message to them that we will hit back. This is a new and powerful India.”

    Speaking on occasion Singh also informed that the ex-gratia amount provided in case of the battle casualties has been increased to Rs 8 lakh by the Centre.

    “Earlier, the ex-gratia amount for the battle casualty was Rs 2 lakh which has been increased by four times,” he said.

    Recalling his visit to Rezang La in Ladakh on November 18, he said, “I went to Rezang La where I was told that about the miracle performed by 124 jawans of Kumaon Battalion…It can never be forgotten. I was told that 114 jawans were killed in action, but they killed over 1200 Chinese soldiers. I had the privilege of visiting the place.”

    He also stated that if there is a fifth Dham in Uttarakhand, it will have the soil from the homes of soldiers killed in action.

    “There are four Dhams in Uttarakhand and if ‘Sainya Dham’ is made, we will have a fifth Dham here. This Dham will have soil from martyrs’ homes…Their names and the names of their villages should also be written in the (Sainya) Dham,” he added.

    BJP Chief JP Nadda had inaugurated the Shaheed Samman Yatra in Chamoli on November 15 to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by soldiers from Uttarakhand.