Indian Army capable of giving befitting reply to enemies: PM Modi's Diwali message from Kargil

In a stern message during his customary speech, Modi said, "We are against war but peace doesn't come without strength. Our Armed Forces have both the capability and strategy.

"If someone targets us, our three Armies are capable of giving a befitting reply in its language."

Image Credit: PIB

Modi, who went to Kargil a day after celebrating Deepotsav in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, also referred to the 1999 Kargil War which India successfully fought over Pakistan.

"People still remember the Kargil War because of the way our Army crushed the hood of terror and the celebrated the victory," the Prime Minister said.

In a lighter mood, Modi later joined the soldiers in humming the lines of Maa Tujhe Salaam, a song that celebrates the country.

Modi, who will face re-election for the third consecutive term in 2024, stormed back to power in 2019 months after the Army carried out a surgical strike in the terror camps of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the Pulwama terror attack where 40 Indian soldiers were martyred.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre is in favour of talks with the neighbouring country only when Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks are stopped.

"Terror and talks can't go together," the India government has maintained over the years.