Rajnath Singh visits border troops in West Bengal and Sikkim for Diwali

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh conducted a multi-day visit to strategic border regions in West Bengal and Sikkim to celebrate Diwali with armed forces personnel. During his visit to the Bagdogra Air Force Station, Singh emphasized the need for high operational readiness to counter modern asymmetric threats, including cyber-attacks, drone swarms, and misinformation campaigns intended to sow doubt among soldiers and local populations.

Singh highlighted the strategic importance of the Bagdogra region and the Siliguri Corridor for the security of Northeast India. He urged troops to maintain strong relationships with local communities, noting that civilian trust is essential to weakening adversary plots. He also stressed that while technology is advancing, the core strengths of the military remain discipline and courage.

In Sikkim, the Defence Minister visited the Sherathang War Memorial to pay tribute to fallen soldiers and interacted with troops stationed near the Nathu La frontier. He compared the role of soldiers to 'diyas' (lamps), stating that their silent service provides the security that allows the rest of the nation to celebrate festivals in peace. Additionally, Singh reviewed the operational preparedness of the Trishakti Corps at Sukna, noting increased budgetary allocations for border infrastructure and indigenous military technology.