Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday that the country is focused on strengthening its defense forces as it is committed to peace and stability.

"As a responsible nation, India is firmly committed to peace and stability for which we need an effective deterrence and a strong defense force," President Mukherjee said at an Air Force base in the northern state of Rajasthan.

He added: "While the nation is striving for all-round economic growth and social empowerment of its citizens, we remain equally focused on building our defense capability that safeguards our sovereignty and territorial integrity."

President Mukherjee is also the supreme commander of the country's armed forces.