The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the Presidential Standard to 25 Sqn and 33 Sqn of Indian Air Force today (December 18, 2012) at Air Force Station, Sulur.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that India stands for peace and its foreign policy is focused on the achievement of this objective. Therefore, effective deterrence is the cornerstone of our defence policy. But effective deterrence requires the maintenance of a force that can be called upon at any time, to secure the sovereignty of our nation. Our armed force symbolizes this capability, he added.

The President stated that since the beginning of its existence over 80 years ago in the pre-independence era, the Indian Air Force has grown today into one of the most powerful and professional forces in the world, capable of facing any threat to our national integrity. The operational capability of the Indian Air Force constitutes an important cutting edge of the nation's military strength.

This release issued at 1115 hrs