Continuing his tradition of celebrating Diwali with India’s security forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited troops stationed in Gujarat’s Kachchh region today. Dressed in Army uniform, he greeted personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Army, Navy, and Air Force at Lakki Nala in Sir Creek, offering sweets and extending festive wishes.

The Prime Minister conveyed that his Diwali greetings symbolized the collective gratitude of 1.4 billion Indians. "The nation sees you as a symbol of security and peace. The world sees India’s strength in you, while adversaries see a force that halts their ill intentions," he remarked.

Modi emphasized that India’s current government is unwavering in protecting national borders. Recalling a time when diplomatic talks threatened Sir Creek's sovereignty, he noted that as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, he firmly opposed the plan. "Today, our trust lies not in the enemy’s words but in our soldiers' commitments," he asserted.

Since assuming office in 2014, Prime Minister Modi has spent Diwali with troops stationed across various regions, including Siachen (2014), the Punjab border (2015), Himachal’s Sumdo (2016), the Gurez sector in Jammu and Kashmir (2017), Uttarakhand’s Harsil (2018), Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir (2019), Longewala in Rajasthan (2020), Nowshera in Kashmir (2021), Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir (2022), and Lepcha in Himachal Pradesh (2023).

Earlier in the day, Modi attended National Unity Day celebrations in Kevadia, Gujarat, honoring the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a key architect of post-Independence national integration. This year's Unity Day holds particular significance as it coincides with Diwali. The Prime Minister also launched a two-year-long celebration marking the approach of Patel’s 150th birth anniversary at the Statue of Unity.