‘War is best avoided from position of strength’: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar stresses on national security, duties, and economic nationalism

Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday highlighted the importance of indigenous strength for national security, asserting that peace is secured only when a nation is ever ready for war.

“For national security, we need indigenous strength. War is best avoided from position of strength. Peace is secured when you are ever ready for war… strength comes apart from technological prowess, conventional arms strength, from people also,” Dhankhar said, while addressing the inaugural session of the Rajya Sabha Internship Programme – Phase 7 at the Vice-President’s Enclave.

Emphasising that the duties of citizens are as vital as their rights, he added, “The balance has to be maintained. Let us not cherry pick. We’ll go for fundamental rights, claiming them 24 x 7, and be totally oblivious of fundamental duties!… if we focus only on our rights and not on duties, we don’t measure up to the requirement of a citizen in the largest democracy, the oldest, the most functional.”

He reminded the audience that fundamental duties were not originally part of the Constitution but were later added through the 42nd and 86th Amendments. “If I have to give a sense of fundamental duties, it is to prioritise national well-being. To contribute optimally for public discourse, public order, public discipline, environment, everything which is known as goodness in life for one and all.”

Calling for a push towards ‘Swadeshi’ consumption, Dhankhar said economic nationalism is the responsibility of every citizen.

“Sometimes people wonder how can we contribute? Swadeshi is closely connected with economic nationalism. Economic nationalism means we must consume Swadeshi. We must always take into consideration being vocal for local… We are immediately inviting three troubles. One trouble, there is an avoidable hole in our foreign exchange reserve… we are snatching work from our own people… more importantly, we are blunting entrepreneurship.”

Operation Sindoor united the nation: VP

“The recent episode, Operation Sindoor, has changed our mindset massively. We are now nationalistic as never before… we have no choice. We have no other option but to remain united and grow stronger,” he added, urging political factions to place national interest above partisan priorities.

“On issues of national security, economic progress, all factions need to put national interest over partisan priorities. I will appeal to everyone in the political spectrum to seriously reflect, come to a conclusion that on issues of national security, on issues of growth, on issues of our internal security, there must be consensus. Sometimes politics get too hot for nationalism and security, something we need to overcome.”

Reiterating the primacy of the Indian Parliament, the Vice-President remarked, “Indian parliament is much beyond a legislative body. It is reflection presently of 1.4 billion people’s will… Parliament has primacy on two counts—it is ultimate authority to make law. Secondly, it holds executive accountable… Parliament is a place, ultimate place, for debate, dialogue, discussion, and discourse.”

‘Always respect other point of view’

Dhankhar also urged the youth to respect differing viewpoints and learn from opposing ideas. “You must always respect the other point of view. Because if you think you alone are right, the other person is wrong, you are depriving yourself of a great benefit of input… more often than not, the other point of view is the correct view.”

Highlighting the civilisational values embedded in the Constitution, he pointed out, “If you look at the Constitution as signed by framers of the Constitution… you’ll find it has 22 miniatures… It shows Gurukul… It shows Ram, Sita, and Laxman coming back to Ayodhya… When it comes to directive principles of state policy, you will find Bhagawan Krishna giving discourse to Arjuna at Kurukshetra.”

He concluded by stating that all powers must be exercised within constitutional boundaries. “Every citizen and institution must exercise their powers within c
onstitutional boundaries, upholding constitutional ideals… This Constitutional domain sanctity is required to be preserved in all situations. If there is any disruption of it, you can sense danger.”

Dr ML Raja nominated to Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair

Vice-President Dhankhar  also announced the nomination of Dr ML Raja, a prominent ophthalmologist from Tamil Nadu, to the Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair for a one-year term beginning May 7, 2025. “Let me welcome in particular today, whose presence I have solicited, and that is Dr S Radhakrishnan Chair, Dr ML Raja.”

The Chair, set up in 2009, honours the legacy of Dr S Radhakrishnan, India’s first Vice-President and second President, and promotes research in Parliamentary democracy.