Event held in honour of Indian defence drive veterans in US

Recognising the significance of Indian armed forces’ veterans, the Indian Embassy right here on Monday organised ‘Varishtha Yoddha’, an occasion to honour the ex-servicemen who at the moment are dwelling within the United States.

More than 140 individuals, together with some distinguished veterans who had fought in varied wars and their households, attended the occasion right here.

“Friends, you have served and sacrificed for mother India, with the utmost sense of duty and selflessness. You and your family members as a part of 4 million-strong Indian community are instrumental in strengthening India-US ties across a diversity of sectors,” Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s Ambassador to the US, mentioned.

“While no recognition and award can do justice to your contributions, today’s event in a small way expresses our respect and gratitude and tells you that we are here for you,” he mentioned in his admiration for the veterans. “It’s a matter of pride, privilege and honour for me to be a part of this special gathering.” There are individuals on this room, who’ve fought for India in 1948, 1962, 1965 or 1971, 1985, the Kargil conflict in 1999 and in quite a few different operations, he mentioned.

“Today’s Varishtha Yoddha event is our humble effort to recognise the sacrifice and service of our veterans and honour them for their patriotism, dedication and willingness to serve and sacrifice all for the nation. We remain committed to taking care of our veterans in the same way as they have taken care of the security of our country,” he mentioned.

Sandhu mentioned Indian veterans, wherever they go, carry the best requirements of responsibility, self-discipline and professionalism for which Indian armed forces are identified.

“Our veterans living in the USA remains the flag-bearers of the traditions of our armed forces and continue to inspire the Indian community,” he mentioned.

The India-US strategic partnership is enriched by their knowledge, laborious work and excessive ethical values, he added. In his tackle, Sandhu mentioned the defence partnership between the US and India has been instrumental in intensifying quite a lot of pacts between them, together with these associated to sharing of defence know-how and cooperation in maritime safety and counter-piracy.

India has been designated as a ‘Major Defence Partner’ by the US and conducts extra navy workout routines with the US than with some other nation. Currently, an Indian naval contingent, together with a naval ship, is in Hawaii for participation, in RIMPAC naval train, Sandhu informed the veterans. Over the final decade, he mentioned, India has procured defence-related acquisitions from the US price over $20 billion.

“Today, Indian forces are operating US defence platforms, including transport planes, helicopters, howitzers, ships and a number of other light equipment many of which have been fully deployed in operational and humanitarian uses, including during the COVID pandemic to deliver aid and transport medical supplies,” mentioned the Indian envoy.

“In line with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, we are moving forward leveraging our comparative advantages and the opportunity for defence industrial collaboration, especially to innovate, co-develop and co-produce for India and for the world,” he mentioned.