In Ladakh, PM Modi leaves a strong message against "expansionism"

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made a surprise visit to Ladakh on Friday, met troops on the forward posts and told them that the nation's enemy has seen their "fire and fury". Tagging them as "brave soldiers of the soil, PM Modi said the "weak can never accomplish peace, the brave do".

Without naming China, the Prime Minister 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."

"Every single Indian across the world, especially in India, has the belief that you all can deliver and keep the nation strong and safe. Your courage is higher than the heights where you are stationed. Your arms are as strong as the mountains that surround you. Your confidence, determination and belief are as atal (immovable) as the peaks here," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ladakh is dubbed as a morale-booster for Army against China's aggression at the LAC.

Chants of "Bharat Mata ki jai" and "Vande Mataram" broke out when he arrived at Nimu, said to be around 100 km from the site of the clash in the Galwan river valley. A video showed soldiers cheering as the Prime Minister walked amidst them, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and Army Chief General MM Naravane.

PM Modi first interacted with soldiers from the Army, Air Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Later, he addressed the troops.

He also paid a visit to the hospital where wounded soldiers from June 20 clash are getting treatment.