In a strong message to
China, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Friday said that the era of expansionism is over, and history is proof that expansionists have “either lost or were forced to turn back”. The Prime Minister added that bravery is a pre-requisite for peace and that those who are weak can never initiate peace.
Modi, who arrived this morning in Leh, Ladakh, to review the ongoing border conflict, said: “The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History is witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back.”
The Prime Minister
made the remark after meeting the soldiers who were injured in the violent Galwan clashes last week. Twenty Indian Army personnel had lost their lives in the faceoff last month.
Modi was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff
General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane, at Nimu and the trio interacted with Army, Air Force and ITBP personnel this morning. This is the first high profile visit from the executive leadership to the region ever since the border standoff erupted in early May.
Addressing the soldiers, Modi said: “Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted today. When the safety of the country is in your hands, then there is a belief. Not only me, but the entire nation believes in you and is not worried. You inspire every citizen to work day and night. Our resolve for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) has become stronger because of you and your strong resolve. The valour shown by you has shown India’s strength on the global front.”
He added: “India’s enemies have seen your fire and fury. Those who are weak can never initiate peace. Bravery is a pre-requisite for peace. Your will power is as strong and firm as Himalayas; the whole country is proud of you.”
Besides the injured soldiers, Modi also met the local military leadership, including Lt. General Harinder Singh, XIV Corps Commander.
Nimu, a forward location, is at a height of 11,000 feet and among the tough terrains. It lies on the banks of the river Indus and is surrounded by the Zanskar range.
While paying tributes to the soldiers during his Mann ki Baat address last Sunday, Modi had said: “Those who cast an evil eye on Indian soil in Ladakh have got a befitting response. India honours the spirit of friendship… she is also capable of giving an appropriate response to any adversary, without shying away. Our brave soldiers have proven that they will not let anyone cast an evil eye on the glory and honour of Mother India.”
Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh was initially scheduled to visit Ladakh today along with the Army Chief, but his visit was deferred on Thursday.
Friday marks Naravane’s third visit to Ladakh since the standoff began in May. He visited the XIV Corps headquarters in Leh
on his first visit, while
on his second, he met the injured soldiers and visited forward areas.
Lt. General Harinder Singh, on the other hand, has met his Chinese counterpart for three high-level military discussions so far, the last being on Tuesday. The discussions have been inconclusive, suggesting that more military and diplomatic meetings will be required to end the stalemate.
Both sides had “emphasised the need for an expeditious, phased and step-wise de-escalation as a priority,” at the meeting held at Chushul, which is on the Indian side of the Chushul-Moldo Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) point in eastern Ladakh. The previous two meetings, on June 6 and June 22, had been held on the Chinese territory at Moldo.
Indian and Chinese troops have been involved in a face-off at multiple locations in the region. The friction points include North bank of
Pangong Tso, Hot Springs, Vohra Post and Galwan Valley.
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