India can no longer empower countries that are inimical to New Delhi's interests: VP Dhankhar
New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar today said India can no longer afford, by travel or import, to empower countries that are inimical to India's interests, and positioned against India in times of crisis, with apparent reference to Turkiye and Azerbaijan that have clearly sided with Pakistan against New Delhi.
'Can we afford to empower countries that are inimical to our interests? Time has come when each one of us must deeply think about economic nationalism,' he said.
He emphasised that, 'We no longer can afford, by travel or import, to improve the economies of those countries because of our participation. And those countries, in times of crisis, are positioned against us.'
Addressing the Annual Convocation of Jaipuria Institute of Management at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, today, VP Dhankhar said, 'Every individual is empowered to help the nation in security. Trade, business, commerce, and industry in particular can play a pivotal role in security issues. Therefore I firmly believe that we must always keep one thing in mind, and that is: Nation first. Everything has to be reckoned on the fulcrum of deep commitment, unflinching commitment, dedication to nationalism. And that mindset we must teach our toddlers right from day one.'
He also lauded the ongoing Operation Sindoor and paid tribute to India's Armed Forces. 'I must, on this occasion—since I am addressing youth of the country in particular—offer my salutations to all Armed Forces and the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the remarkable success of the ongoing Operation Sindoor.'
Calling the operation a befitting response to the barbaric attack at Pahalgam, he added, 'It was a remarkable retaliation, befitting our ethos of peace and tranquility to the barbarity that happened at Pahalgam—the deadliest attack on our civilians since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
'The Prime Minister of this country, Shri Narendra Modi, sent a message from India's heartland of Bihar to the entire global fraternity. Those were not empty words. The world now has realised: what is said is reality. 'No one is asking for proof now. The world has seen and acknowledged. We have seen this saga—how that country is deeply engrossed in terrorism.
'When coffins are taken with armed forces and military power and political power accompanying them, justice is done by Bharat to Sindoor in sublimity.'
VP Dhankhar also said that a new standard has been set in India's counterterrorism efforts. 'In the mechanics of war and the fight against terrorism, a new benchmark has been set. Indian Armed
Forces targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed at Bahawalpur, deep inside Pakistan territory. Beyond the international border—headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, also Lashkar-e-Taiba base, Muridke. No one is asking for proof now. No one is asking for it. The world has seen and acknowledged.'
He further added, 'It is India's deepest ever cross-border strike. Strike that was carefully, precisely calibrated to cause no damage except to the terrorist.'
VP Dhankhar recalled the US operation on May 2nd, 2011 --in which the United States conducted Operation Neptune Spear, and shot and killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at his 'Waziristan Haveli' in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Bin Laden, who founded al-Qaeda, masterminded the September 11 attacks in the US.
'This happened on May 2nd, 2011, when a global terrorist who planned, supervised, executed the September 11 attack inside the US in 2001. He was dealt with by the US similarly. Bharat has done it and done it to the knowledge of the global community,' the VP said.
With apparent reference to collaboration between Turkiye with universities in India, VP Dhankhar said, 'How can we countenance or overlook narratives that are anti-national? Foreign universities coming to this country is something which requires filtration. It requires deep thinking. It is something we have to be extremely careful about.'
On education and research, the Vice-President cautioned against commercialization. 'This country cannot afford commercialisation and commodification of education. It is undeniable, it is present. Education and health as per our civilization ethos are not areas to make money. These are areas to give back to society. We have to discharge our obligation to society.'
Sharad Jaipuria, Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Anjali Jaipuria, Spouse of Chairman, Board of Governors, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Shreevats Jaipuria, Vice Chairman, Jaipuria Institute of Management and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
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