President Mukherjee calls on armed forces to ensure stability and peace

He was addressing the passing out parade at the Officers Training Academy

President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the 21st century is witnessing strife of a very "virulent nature" and called for capable and responsive armed forces to ensure stability and peace.

Stating that security challenges go much beyond conventional borders and threats in the international arena including a sizeable diaspora, he said, "India requires young men and women to take up the challenge of navigation through troubled waters and work tirelessly and selflessly even at the peril of their lives in the service of country."

"Our security challenges in fact go much beyond conventional borders and conventional threats in the international arena including a sizeable diaspora to protect in unstable regions in the world, energy security issues and protection of maritime sea lanes," he said.

Addressing the officers on the occasion of review of the passing out parade of the summer term at Officers Training Academy, Mukherjee said the country has reposed faith in armed forces in internal crisis situations, both man made and natural.

"All these challenges demand a capable and responsive armed Forces to ensure stability and peace, so vital for our country on its path of peace and prosperity for all its citizens," he said.

The 21st century has ushered in its own set of challenges, he said.

"Though turbulence and uncertainty have manifested all along in the history of mankind, this century is witnessing chaos and strife of a very virulent nature comprising asymmetric warfare involving both state and non-state actors," Mukherjee added.

The Indian Army represents the Instrument of Last Resort, he said, adding that "the acme of a great and powerful army does not lie in the power it can unleash but the manner and dexterity with which it does so".