Imagine if we had Rafale: PM Narendra Modi

Emphasising that New India has become "fearless" and "decisive" in the last 55 months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday said no nation in the world can now dare to threaten it. He also added that the country is feeling the absence of Rafale fighter jets. "The entire country is saying in one voice today, 'What could have happened if we had Rafale'," he said at the annual conclave of a private news channel, adding, "India's global influence is now evident. No nation can dare threaten New India. Enemies, terrorists and facilitators are now scared of India's might. That fear is good."

PM Modi was referring to the Pulwama terror attacks and the swift retaliation rendered by the Indian Air Force by obliterating Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps inside Pakistan.

He also addressed cynics who doubted the authenticity of the air strikes. "While opposing Modi, some elements did not bother opposing the nation," he said, "I request them not to play with country's security. In the throes of anti-Modi obsession, they should not indirectly help the enemy."

He blamed the last Congress-led government for leaving the country vulnerable, saying the India Army had demanded 1,86,000 bulletproof jackets in 2009, but the Congress government didn't bother purchasing them. "After our government came into power in 2014, more than two lakh bulletproof jackets were bought," PM Modi said.

Taking further potshots at BJP's political rival, he said those who ruled the country for many years have mastered the art of "doles" and "deals". "This culture has harmed our nation's development journey greatly," he said.

Turning the conversation back to the Rafale deal, albeit obliquely, he said, "They had so many Defence scams in their era. It began with vehicles and later graduated onto weapons, submarines, etc. In the process, the defence sector immensely suffered. Who is every dealmaker close to? Who is every middleman close to? The entire nation knows and Lutyens' Delhi surely knows."

What He Said

• PM Narendra Modi pointed out that the UPA government turned down the Army’s request for 1,86,000 bulletproof jackets in 2009, but the BJP govt procured more than two lakh bulletproof jackets
• The rival party, he said, had mastered the art of “doles” and “deals” and its rule was punctuated by Defence scams, which began with vehicles, and graduated on to weapons and submarines.