<span style="color: #222222;">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today interacted with jawans of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles at Headquarter of Assam Rifles (South) in Imphal. Mr Singh was accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande, and other top Army officers. During the visit, the Defence Minister was briefed about the counter-insurgency as well as border management operations on Indo-Myanmar border to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.<br />''<br />''Speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh appreciated the officers and soldiers for performing their duty with courage and conviction despite challenges posed by terrain and weather and improving the security situation in Manipur. The Defence Minister exhorted the forces to keep the National Flag high through unflinching dedication, asserting that the Nation can achieve absolute potential only when its borders are safe.<br />''<br />''Mr Singh commended the stellar role of Assam Rifles in the last seven decades and their immense contribution in internal security, securing Indo-Myanmar border and key role in bringing North East into the national mainstream. He said, for this reason, they are called Friends of the North East People and Sentinels of North-East.</span><br />