Ishityaq Ahmad
Srinagar, July 03 (KINS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to a forward post in Ladakh Friday morning and interacted with troops.
The Prime Minister’s office said that Modi was at a forward location in Nimu, at a height of 11,000 feet.
He reached there early in the morning by chopper from Leh, along with Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane.
According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) while addressing the soldiers, Modi said: “The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History knows that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back,” he said.
The PM 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 prerequisite for peace. Your will power is as strong and firm as the Himalayas; the whole country is proud of you.”
PM Modi also visited a hospital where several soldiers wounded in the clash are recovering.
Besides the injured soldiers, Modi also met the local military leadership, including Lt. General Harinder Singh, XIV Corps Commander.
Sources said that the PM was given a joint briefing by the Army, Air Force and the ITBP at one of the forward locations in Nimu.
The Ladakh union territory has been at the center of the standoff with China’s People’s Liberation Army troops since early May.
Sources had told KINS that the Prime Minister after returning from Ladakh to New Delhi, will meet his senior cabinet colleagues. “The Prime minister will meet the defence minister Rajanth Sihgh, Home minister Amit shah and the external affairs minister.
Besides, the Prime Minister will also meet the National security advisor Ajit Doval to brief them about his visit to the Ladakh region,” sources had said.
Top government officials had earlier only let it be known that CDS Rawat would visit Ladakh for a review of the tri-services preparedness and a first-hand understanding of the proposed de-escalation and disengagement process at the four stand-off points. It was only after PM Modi emerged from the plane that news of PM Modi’s surprise visit got out.
It is to mention here that PM in his monthly radio address-Mann ki Baat last week had said that India gave a fitting response to China on Ladakh. “Those who cast an evil eye on Indian Territory in Ladakh have been given a befitting response. If India knows how to maintain friendship, it can also confront someone and give an adequate response. Our brave soldiers made it clear that they will not allow anyone to taint the honour of Mother India,” PM Modi had said. (KINS
