PM Modi makes surprise visit to Ladakh amid rising India-China tension

In a surprise visit amid India-China border tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Ladakh on Friday morning to assess the on-ground situation. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane. PM Modi took stock of the security situation along with General Rawat, Army Chief MM Naravane and Northern Army Commanders Lt Gen YK Joshi and Lt Gen Harinder Singh and 14 Corps officials here.

PM Modi visited one of the forward locations in Nimu, Ladakh. He reached there early morning. He interacted with personnel of Army, Air Force and ITBP.

The visit comes days after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in bloody clash with the Chinese at the Galwan Valley.

Notably, during his Mann Ki Baat address on June 28, PM Modi had told the nation that "those who eyed Indian territory in Ladakh had received a befitting response".

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash with Chinese forces in Galwan Valley on June 15. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but did not reveal details.

After several military-level talks, both the armies have emphasised the need for an "expeditious, phased and step wise" de-escalation as a "priority" to end the seven-week bitter standoff in eastern Ladakh. However, these talks are yet to bear any concrete results.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the soldiers in Ladakh after reaching the region on Friday morning. He commended the soldiers for their bravery and valour and said that the world has seen India's strength. Referring to the 14 Corps, known as the Fire and Fury Corps, PM Modi said, "India's enemies have seen both your fire and fury."

The PM said, "Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted today." He said that the journey to Atma Nirbhar Bharat is strengthened by the sacrifices the soldiers have made. "The bravery of 14 Corps will be talked about everywhere. Tales of your bravery and valour are echoing in every house in the country," said PM Modi.

He added that bravery is a prerequisite for peace and the ones who are weak can never do it. "Whether World Wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our braves and their efforts towards peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity," he said.

The Prime Minister also criticised Beijing for its policies. While he did not name China, he said that the era of expansionism is over. "This is the time for development, not expansion," he added. He continued his criticism of China and said that the expansionist policies of some countries have affected world peace. He added that history has shown that the expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to retreat.

"We are the same people who pray to the flute playing Lord Krishna but we are also the same people who idolise and follow the same Lord Krishna who carries the 'Sudarshana Chakra'," he said during his speech to the soldiers.

PM Modi made a surprise visit to Ladakh amid the border tensions between India and China. He reached Ladakh to assess the on-ground situation. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane. He met soldiers injured in the Galwan Valley clash.