Indian officials celebrate Diwali with military personnel

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted visits to military personnel to celebrate Diwali. Minister Singh visited troops in West Bengal and Sikkim, including Bagdogra Airfield and the Nathu La frontier. During his visit to the Sherathang War Memorial, he emphasized the importance of discipline and modernizing the armed forces with technologies like drones and cyber security. He also addressed the Agnipath scheme, noting that the Union Cabinet approved a “Second Tour of Duty” allowing 75 percent of Agniveers to serve an additional two years.

In subsequent visits to the Bagdogra Air Force Station and Sukna, Singh emphasized maintaining high operational readiness against modern, complex security threats. He highlighted that contemporary warfare includes asymmetric tactics such as cyber-attacks, drone swarms, proxy wars, and the use of social media to spread misinformation. He urged soldiers to remain vigilant against information operations intended to sow doubt among local populations and security forces, stressing the need to build trusting relationships with border residents.

Reviewing strategic locations in West Bengal, Singh described the Northeast as India’s “first frontier.” He reviewed infrastructure development along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and commended the integration of indigenous technologies, such as anti-drone systems, into military operations. He also noted that the government is strengthening supply chains to support troops in forward locations and reaffirmed a commitment to “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” by supporting domestic production of advanced military equipment.

At Sukna, Singh reviewed the operational preparedness of the Trishakti Corps and participated in a traditional “Bada Khana,” a military meal intended to foster camaraderie and equality among ranks. During his time in Sikkim, he visited the Sherathang War Memorial to pay homage to fallen soldiers, comparing the vigilance of the troops to “diyas” (lamps) that ensure the nation can celebrate festivals in peace.