Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. Calling the day as a very special one, PM Modi said, "On this day, we defeated Pakistan, we will never be able to forget this day."
"The war happened at a time and in a situation that nobody can forget. India wanted good relations with pakistan, but that did not happen," he added.
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army had announced the successful culmination of "Operation Vijay", declaring victory after the nearly three-month-long battles in the icy heights of Kargil. The country lost more than 500 soldiers in the war.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Army Chief General MM Naravane, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh also paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti at the National War Memorial.
Here are the Highlights on Kargil Vijay Diwas:
On #KargilVijayDiwas2020, France pays tribute to the Indian armed forces: France always stands alongside India.#Mirage2000 in 1999 to #Rafale in 2020: our partnership touches soaring heights. pic.twitter.com/bIEKIWDFhi
- Emmanuel Lenain (@FranceinIndia) July 26, 2020
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked the youngsters in the country to visit a website highlighting the tales of bravery of armed forces and police personnel since Independence.
We saw in Kargil that while India always stands for harmony, we had also given a befitting reply to those who vitiated the spirit of peace.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2020
I thank all those who have highlighted #CourageInKargil...the valour of our forces which makes us proud. #MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/rYRh54mnRa
"At the time, India was trying for improve relations with Pakistan. But as it is said, evil's nature is to fight everyone without reason. People of this nature can only think of doing evil even to those who try to do them good. That's why Pakistan backstabbed India despite India's attempts at cordial relations," he said..
"You can imagine, the enemy was perched high on the mountains while our forces were fighting them from below. But the high morale and true of our forces won against mountains," he added. Read
Indian forces combined inspiration and strategy with valour to vanquish Pakistan during the Kargil war despite facing adverse circumstances, BJP president JP Nadda said on Sunday.
He said India will forever remember the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers to secure the country's borders. Speaking at an event on the 21st anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, JP Nadda also said that BJP is commited to the welfare of armed forces, saying the defence sector has always received Prime Minister Narendra Modi's special focus.
Paying tributes to the martyrs of Kargil war on its 21st anniversary, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said his government always stood by the soldiers and families of those who laid down their lives to protect the borders of the country.
"The government is always committed to the welfare of the soldiers. Karnataka has formed a separate department for the welfare of the soldiers and their families. We always stand with the families of the martyred soldiers," he said.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Sunday paid tributes to the soldiers who lost their lives while fighting against Pakistan during Kargil war. Chief Minister Rawat paid respect to fallen soldiers at the Shaheed memorial in Gandhi Park on the occasion of ''Kargil Vijay Diwas''.
"The world realized the power of the Indian soldiers when they drove the intruders across the border. Our soldiers showed the valor in the Kargil war under adverse conditions. The nation will always remember the sacrifices of the brave soldiers to protect the country's borders in the Kargil war," Mr Rawat said.
The country is forever grateful to soldiers who laid down their lives during the Kargil war to defend ''Bharat Mata'', President Ram Nath Kovind said on Sunday.
Taking to Twitter to pay tributes to the slain soldiers on the 21st anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the war, he said ''Kargil Vijay Diwas'' is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our armed forces.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the country is proud of the heroes who are dedicated to protecting it and who drove away the enemy from the arduous hills of Kargil.
On the 21st anniversary of the country's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war, Mr Shah said the "Kargil Vijay Diwas" is a symbol of India's self-respect, amazing valour and steadfast leadership.
"I bow to the bravehearts, who, with their indomitable courage, drove the enemy from the difficult hills of Kargil and waved the tricolour there again. The country is proud of the heroes of India who are dedicated to protecting the motherland," he said in a tweet in Hindi.
On the 21st anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives for the country.
President said that Kargil Vijay Diwas is a symbol of fearless determination and exceptional valour of our Armed Forces.
"Kargil Vijay Diwas is symbol of fearless determination & exceptional valour of our Armed Forces. I salute the soldiers who fought the enemy and laid down their life to defend Bharat Mata. The nation is forever grateful to them and their families," President Kovind tweeted.
"Paid tributes to fallen soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who exhibited exemplary valour and made supreme sacrifice during Kargil War," the defence minister tweeted along with pictures.