Efforts on for further integration of armed forces, says Rajnath

BENGALURU: Efforts are on for ensuring further integration of India’s armed forces, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday at a conclave — Congruence of the politico-military thoughts and goals: Birth of a Nation. “In the days to come, integration will be ensured in the theatre and in all the levels below it,” he said.
“It will be implemented from procurement to indigenisation, to prioritising capability development, training and logistic support, which will make the armed forces more capable, efficient and self-reliant,” Singh said after inaugurating the three-day conclave celebrating the golden jubilee of the 1971 Indo-Pak war victory at the Air Force station-Yelahanka.
“It was the synergy and cooperation between the tri-services and the government that led to success in 1971. This war and India’s victory are special as it was not fought to gain some land or expand. The intention behind entering that was humanity and protection of democracy. The politico-military synergy led to our success,” Singh said.
Stating that the congruence of India’s politico-military thought and actions led to the birth of Bangladesh, he termed the 14-day war a glorious chapter of India’s military history, which saw the largest surrender in the world after the second world war, with more than 93,000 Pakistani soldiers coming forward and giving up their weapons.