Singh, accompanied by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, also carried out a comprehensive review of India's military preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh and lauded the troops for guarding the border with "unwavering commitment and unparalleled courage"

In an interaction with the soldiers after visiting Bum-La and a number of other forward posts, Singh asserted that there is no option but to bolster the country's security apparatus in view of the current global scenario

The defence minister said all efforts are being made to strengthen the nation's military prowess through indigenous production of defence equipment

"No amount of appreciation is enough for the way you are guarding the border in difficult circumstances. I want to tell you that people of the country are proud of you," he told the troops

The defence minister expressed gratitude to the soldiers for their "unyielding spirit, unwavering commitment and unparalleled courage" while guarding the borders in tough conditions, and ensuring that the nation and its people are safe

After performing Shastra Puja (worship of weapons) with the troops at Tawang, he noted that Dussehra signifies the victory of good over evil

In his address, he described the "righteousness and dharma" of the brave armed forces personnel as the living testament to the ethos of the festival of Vijayadashmi

The defence minister said the valour and commitment of the armed forces is one of the main reasons behind India's rising stature globally and that it is now among the most powerful nations

Singh cited India's success in the economic sphere as one of the reasons for the country's growing global profile. But at the same time noted that if the armed forces hadn't guarded the country's border effectively, then its stature would not have risen

The defence minister's celebration of Dussehra with the soldiers at the strategically important location close to the LAC comes at a time when India and China have been engaged in a bitter standoff in certain friction points in eastern Ladakh for over three years