Modi says we want peace but if provoked can give befitting reply, assures Indian soldiers’ sacrifice in Galwan valley won’t go in vain
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave a stern warning to China, saying while India wished to maintain peace, it will not stay quiet if provoked. In his first remark on the killing of 20 Indian soldiers by the Chinese Army in Ladakh on Monday, the PM said the nation must be proud to know that the Army jawans who died in “Galwan valley” died fighting till the end.
The Prime Minister made these remarks before addressing the two-day videoconference of State Chief Ministers on Covid-19 crisis. He also requested the attending CMs and Union Ministers to maintain two minutes of silence for the slain warriors.
“India wants peace, but if India is provoked, it is capable of giving a befitting reply. With respect to our Indian martyrs, the nation will be proud to know that they died fighting. I want to assure the nation that its martyrs’ sacrifice will not go in vain.
The PM is expected to address the nation on June 21.
The Prime Minister said India believes in peaceful resolution of any conflict and didn’t want that differences should become disputes. “We never provoke anyone but we will not compromise with integrity and sovereignty. Whenever time has come, we have proved our strength and capabilities in protecting our integrity and sovereignty. Sacrifice and resilience is in our national character. But valour and courage is also our country’s character,” the Prime Minister warned.
India will always protect its sovereignty and no one should be under any illusion, Modi said.
This is perhaps for the first time in six years in office that Modi has gone so offensive against the Chinese regime. The PM visited China nine times during the last six years and held 18 meetings with the Chinese President. But Chinese are obviously upset with Modi for joining hands with US President Donald Trump’s bid to isolate Beijing.
With Opposition parties calling upon the Government to take them in confidence regarding the face-off with China, the Prime Minister has called for an all-party meeting at 5 pm on June 19. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met three Service Chiefs (Army, Navy and Air Force) and the Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat on Wednesday and reviewed the country’s defence preparedness to deal with any situation along the LAC.
Singh also spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the current India-China border situation.
