India does not want land of neighbouring countries but peace: Nitin Gadkari

NEW DELHI | JUNE 15, 2020:

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Sunday said that India does not want land belonging to Pakistan or any of its neighbouring countries; it rather wants to settle its relations in a peaceful and friendly approach.

While addressing a virtual 'Jan Samvad' rally of Gujarat BJP from Nagpur in Maharashtra, Gadkari said that India believes in peace and non-violence and does not want to be strong by becoming an expansionist. Adding to it, he said that India never tried to grab the land of its neighbours like Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Gadkari said, "India does not want the land of either Pakistan or China. All India wants is peace, amity, love, and (want) to work together (with neighbouring countries)".

His comments came at a time when India and China are engaged in a stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

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Talking about the completion of one year of the second term of the Modi government, Gadkari said, its biggest achievement was to bring peace in the country by dealing with matters of internal and external security.

"Whether it is about almost winning over the Maoist problem or securing the country from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. There is China on the one side of our border and Pakistan on the other side. We want peace and not violence," he said.

During his speech, the Nagpur MP referred to the famous novel "Mrityunjaya" by Marathi novelist Shivaji Sawant, saying peace and non-violence can be established by only those who are strong and not weak.

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"We should not make India strong by becoming expansionist. We want to make India strong for establishing peace. We never tried to grab the land of Bhutan. Our country made Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the prime minister of Bangladesh after winning the war (with Pakistan in 1971), and our soldiers returned thereafter" he said.

Gadkari also said the coronavirus crisis will not last long as scientists in India and abroad have been working to develop a vaccine.

"This crisis is not going to last long. An effort is on in our country to develop a vaccine for coronavirus. Scientists across the world are working in this direction.

As per the information received by me, I can say with confidence that, very soon we will find a vaccine. Once we develop a vaccine, we won't have to fear the crisis," Gadkari added.

With inputs from PTI