He said India was being cornered by its neighbouring countries, thus posing a new threat to our country and our youths.
"There is no country which does not have Chinese presence, thus underlining the need for India to be on its guard 24X7, which the youths are best equipped to do," he said.
Observing that India was passing through a highly demanding phase, the chief minister said while all citizens of the country had a responsibility to protect the nation, the future lay in the hands of the youths, especially since 70 per cent of the country's population was now under 40 years of age.
The Congress leader noted that the northern region of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, bordering Pakistan and China, was in particular "vulnerable to external threats since it has hostile neighbours on all sides."
Captain Amarinder was addressing a function organised by a national daily here to facilitate young achievers from Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
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