New Delhi (NVI): In his first remarks over the violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the sacrifice of Indian soldiers at Galwan Valley in Ladakh will not go in vain.
PM Modi, while speaking at virtual meeting Chief Ministers on Covid-19 situation, spoke on the latest India-China border clashes in which 20 Indian troops were killed on the intervening night of June 15 and 16.
The Prime Minister said that India wants peace on border with China, but when instigated, it is capable of giving a befitting reply.
In his brief speech, referring to the Ladakh stand-off, the PM said that India has always tried that differences do not become disputes.
At the end of the speech, PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and CMs of 15 Union Territories also observed a two-minute silence as a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Galwan Valley clash.
The Prime Minister will also hold an all-party meeting at 5 PM on Friday to discuss the situation in India-China border areas and specifically the escalation in tensions between the two countries after the violent clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley along LAC.
Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting, the PMO said in a tweet today.
Earlier in the day, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also said that the loss of soldiers is “deeply disturbing and painful.”
“The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army,” he tweeted.
“The Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s breavehearts,” he said in another tweet.
The Indian Army released a statement yesterday, stating that total 20 troops were killed in the clashes due to serious injuries and hypothermia. It also added that the troops on both sides have disengaged after the face-off.
“Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at the Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on the night of 15/16 June 2020. 17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand-off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total that were killed in action to 20,” read the official statement.
