MoS Defence Sanjay Seth lauds soldiers for "keeping vigil" on the borders, says "140 cr countrymen are your family"

New Delhi [India], October 31 : Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, on Thursday, praised Indian soldiers for their vigilant presence at the borders during the Diwali festival.
Sanjay Seth acknowledged the soldiers' dedication to border security, enabling citizens to celebrate Diwali in peace. He remarked that the entire nation of 140 crore people considers these soldiers as family.
"With 140 crore countrymen as your family, you maintain vigil at the borders, allowing the nation to celebrate Diwali peacefully," Seth stated.
He highlighted that the Prime Minister's tradition of celebrating Diwali with soldiers inspires courage among them.
"When the Prime Minister visits, you can imagine the strength it brings to our soldiers," Seth said.
Today, PM Modi continued his Diwali tradition by celebrating with Army jawans in Gujarat's Kachchh, a practice he has followed since taking office in 2014.
Referring to the Diwali exchange of sweets between Indian and Chinese troops at border points in Ladakh, Seth added, "It is part of our culture to exchange sweets and gifts wherever we go. Due to the tireless efforts of the Prime Minister, even the Chinese army is now retreating, and sweets have been exchanged along the Indo-China border."
Indian and Chinese armies recently exchanged sweets following the completion of the disengagement process in Depsang and Demchok in north-eastern Ladakh.
India and China have also agreed on new patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at their shared border.
The border standoff between India and China began in eastern Ladakh along the LAC in 2020, triggered by Chinese military actions, and has led to ongoing tensions that have significantly impacted relations between the two nations.