28.5c India
The Indian Army is set to open unique and renowned battlefields such as Kargil and Galwan for border tourism. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), announced this initiative during a talk at Savitribai Phule Pune University. Residents can visit these historical sites while honouring the warriors who sacrificed their lives for the country. He underscored the Army's pivotal role in transforming Jammu and Kashmir from a terrorism-ridden territory to a potential tourism hotspot.
General Dwivedi underscored the Indian Army's crucial role in fostering national integration and development in his address. He highlighted the recent efforts of the Army Adventure Wing, which has organized 42 adventure excursions and provides one-stop security clearance for such programs.
As part of a comprehensive tourism strategy, the Army has identified 48 development places, to double tourist numbers within five years.
Significant efforts include the Trans-Himalayan trip, Uttarakhand's "Soul of Steel" survival challenge, and Siachen Glacier hiking excursions. Additionally, residents are being trained in mountaineering to increase community participation.
The Army Chief emphasized the importance of infrastructure development and security in enabling long-term growth, envisioning a "progressive" and "peaceful" India by 2047 while strengthening India's worldwide strategic influence and defence diplomacy.