Rajnath Singh calls for stronger army-police synergy for national security on Police Commemoration Day

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday underlined the importance of synergy between the Army and the police in safeguarding the nation, saying both institutions embody the same spirit of service and sacrifice for India’s security.

Speaking at the Police Commemoration Day programme held at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Singh drew upon his experiences as both the former Home Minister and now Defence Minister to highlight how the two forces complement each other in maintaining national security.

"I myself have served as Home Minister. I have had the opportunity to observe the operations of the police up close. Furthermore, as Defence Minister, I also have the opportunity to closely observe the actions of the Army. Both Army and police are pillars of the country's security. Whoever the enemy may be, whether it comes from across the border or lurks among us, every individual who stands up for India's security represents the same spirit," Rajnath Singh said during the event.

Emphasizing India’s journey into the ‘Amrit Kal’ and its goal of achieving ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, Singh said maintaining a balance between internal and external security is now more critical than ever. “The military and police may have different platforms, but their mission is the same, which is national security. Today, as we enter the Amrit Kal and look toward 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, balancing India's internal and external security has become more important than ever," he said.

The Defence Minister also commended the police for fulfilling both their professional and moral responsibilities. “Today, the police have to fight not only crime but also perception. It is a good thing that our police, along with its official duty, is also performing its moral duty very well. Today, the citizens of the country have confidence that if something wrong happens, the police will stand with them,” Singh remarked.

Reflecting on the challenges faced by the police, Singh expressed regret that their contributions were not adequately acknowledged in the past. However, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for changing that by establishing the National Police Memorial in 2018 and equipping the police with modern weapons and better facilities.

"It's a matter of great regret that for a long time, we, as a society and as a nation, didn't fully recognise the contributions of the police. We didn't make the positive efforts that should have been made to keep their memories alive. However, under PM Modi's leadership, we established the National Police Memorial in 2018. Along with this, we also provided the police with modern weapons and better facilities... As a nation, we face many challenges, but our resources to meet them are limited. Therefore, we must optimally utilise those resources. This can only be achieved through coordination and integration with security agencies," he said.

At the event, the Defence Minister paid tribute to the police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, honouring their courage and dedication. Police Commemoration Day, observed annually on October 21, commemorates the valour of ten policemen who were martyred in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959.

The day is marked with nationwide observances to honour the contributions of police personnel towards national security and integrity. The National Police Memorial, dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister in 2018, stands as a symbol of pride, unity, and sacrifice for the police forces. It features a 30-foot granite cenotaph called the Central Sculpture, the ‘Wall of Valour’, and a museum that chronicles the evolution of policing in India.

Every year, various commemorative events such as band displays, runs for fallen policemen, blood donation camps, and exhibitions showcasing the bravery of police personnel are organised by the Central Armed Police Forces and State Police units between October 22 and 30. The memorial continues to serve as a place of reverence — a pilgrimage site for both police personnel and citizens.