Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi honours martyrs, soldiers in Mann Ki Baat
Synopsis
In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on Kargil Vijay Diwas, PM Modi did more than pay tribute — he linked the memory of the 1999 war to India's present-day defence ambitions, citing the Astra missile deal with Indonesia as proof that the sacrifices of Kargil are being honoured through a stronger, more self-reliant India.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi paid tribute to Kargil martyrs on 26 July during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast.
He recalled the extraordinary courage of Indian soldiers who reclaimed territory in the 1999 Kargil War despite extreme high-altitude conditions.
A 'Shaurya Vijay Yatra' motorcycle rally ran from the National War Memorial, New Delhi on 14 July to the Kargil War Memorial, Dras .
India signed a significant agreement on the Astra missile with Indonesia earlier this month, signalling growing global confidence in Indian defence technology.
Modi called on citizens to renew their resolve to build a secure, capable and self-reliant India .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 26 July paid solemn tribute to the soldiers and martyrs of the Kargil War during his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', marking Kargil Vijay Diwas with a call to renew the national resolve for a secure and self-reliant India. The broadcast, aired on Sunday, underscored the enduring significance of the 1999 high-altitude conflict in India's collective memory.
Tribute to the Fallen
Modi said July 26 needs no calendar reminder — it stands as a day of deep national pride. He recalled how Indian Armed Forces personnel faced towering, icy Himalayan peaks, punishing weather, and a determined enemy entrenched on strategic heights, yet reclaimed every inch of territory through grit and sacrifice.
'The nation bows in respect to all the gallant martyrs and soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice,' Modi said, adding that India does not merely remember its heroes but actively shares their stories of valour with younger generations to keep the spirit of sacrifice alive.
Shaurya Vijay Yatra: Retracing the Path of Courage
In keeping with this spirit of remembrance, a special motorcycle rally — the 'Shaurya Vijay Yatra' — was organised this year. The journey commenced at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on 14 July and concluded at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, symbolically retracing the route of courage and sacrifice that defined the conflict.
India's Growing Defence Strength
Modi also used the occasion to highlight India's expanding footprint in the defence sector. He pointed to strides in indigenous defence production, rising defence exports, and deepening strategic partnerships with friendly nations as markers of the country's growing capability.
Notably, earlier this month, India signed a significant agreement on the Astra missile with Indonesia — a development Modi cited as evidence of rising global confidence in India's defence technology and equipment.
The Call to Action
'On this Kargil Vijay Diwas, the call is clear: pay heartfelt tribute to the immortal martyrs and renew the collective resolve to build a secure, capable and self-reliant India,' Modi said. He added that the sacrifices made in the harsh terrain of Kargil remind every citizen of the price of freedom and the duty to strengthen the nation.
The observance comes as India continues to position itself as a credible defence manufacturing hub, with the Astra missile deal representing one of the more concrete recent milestones in that journey.
Point of View
Meanwhile, institutionalises Kargil memory as a recurring civic ritual. The question mainstream coverage rarely asks is whether this growing ceremonialisation translates into commensurate investment in soldier welfare, veterans' support, and border infrastructure — the unglamorous but more consequential side of the 'self-reliant India' promise.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PM Modi say on Kargil Vijay Diwas in Mann Ki Baat?
PM Modi paid tribute to the soldiers and martyrs of the 1999 Kargil War during his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on 26 July, calling the date a day of profound national pride. He recalled the hardships faced by Indian troops on icy Himalayan peaks and urged citizens to renew their resolve to build a secure and self-reliant India.
What is the Shaurya Vijay Yatra?
The Shaurya Vijay Yatra is a motorcycle rally organised to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas, symbolising valour and victory. This year it began at the National War Memorial in New Delhi on 14 July and concluded at the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, retracing the path of the 1999 conflict.
What is the Astra missile deal with Indonesia that Modi mentioned?
Earlier in July, India signed a significant agreement with Indonesia for the Astra missile, an indigenously developed air-to-air missile. Modi cited the deal as evidence of rising global confidence in India's defence technology and its growing defence export capability.
Why is Kargil Vijay Diwas observed on 26 July?
Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed on 26 July each year to mark the day in 1999 when India declared victory in Operation Vijay, successfully reclaiming strategic peaks in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir that had been occupied by Pakistani forces.
How does India commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas?
India marks the day through official tributes, events at war memorials, and programmes like the Shaurya Vijay Yatra. PM Modi regularly addresses the nation on the occasion through Mann Ki Baat, sharing stories of soldier valour with younger generations to keep the memory of the conflict alive.
