‘Era of expansionism over’: PM’s warning to China on Ladakh visit
LAC ROW Modi says India wants peace from position of strength, enemies have seen fire and fury of our forces
› Bharat Mata’s enemies have seen your (the soldiers’) fire and fury… Your courage... is in comparable ... Till the security of the country is in your hands and strong intentions, not just me, but the whole country has complete faith
NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday declared that the “era of expansionism” is over, sending a strong signal to China about India’s determination to defend its borders, on a surprise unscheduled visit to Ladakh, the theatre of the tension between the neighbours.
In a speech to the troops, relayed live on television, the prime minister asserted that India has always wanted peace but this peace will come from strength; and paid glowing tributes to the bravery and courage of soldiers in the frontlines of the stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with a particular reference to those who laid down their lives in the Galwan Valley clash on June 15.
Analysts described the visit as a clear message to Beijing, and one that would motivate troops.
Asserting that all of Ladakh was India’s pride and that people of Ladakh were patriots, and claiming that India had, for centuries, given a strong response to “aggressors” and had emerged stronger after each attack, Modi said that “enemies” had seen both the “fire and fury” of Indian soldiers.
The PM also spoke of the raft of decisions that had been taken to strengthen India’s defence apparatus and border infrastructure in recent years; quoted a wide range of Sanskrit, Tamil, and Hindi sayings to convey determination and resolve; and highlighted Buddha’s emphasis on courage as conviction and compassion.
Friday’s surprise visit came in the backdrop of the two-month long stand-off at the LAC, where China has attempted to change the status quo by intruding into Indian territory; engaged in a military build-up; and expanded its territorial claims, particularly over the Galwan Valley. India has matched the military build-up with additional deployment of troops and equipment. Three rounds of military-level talks have taken place between the two counties, besides dialogue at the diplomatic-level, but commitments on de-escalation have not yet resulted in tangible action on the ground with Chinese troops staying put.
Accompanied by the chief of defence staff Bipin Rawat and army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, Modi visited Nimu, surrounded by the Zanskar range, where he was briefed by military commanders on the situation. He also interacted with personnel of the army, the Indian Air Force, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
HT learns that the decision on Modi’s visit was taken on Thursday evening with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval working out the details with Gen Rawat.
PM stressed in his speech, without naming China, that the “era of expansionism is over” and this was the “era of developmentalism”, which is both an opportunity and will serve as the basis of the future.
“In centuries gone by, expansionism has tried to destroy humanity. Whenever an expansionist mindset has dominated someone’s worldview, it has posed a threat to world peace. But history is also witness that such powers have got destroyed, or have been forced to mend their ways. This has been the collective global experience. And on the basis of this experience, the world has made up its mind. Today, the world is committed to developmentalism and welcomes competition for development.”
Modi has called out expansionism as a threat in the past, but only once before in his official capacity as PM.
NEW DELHI: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised everyone when he landed up at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee airport at Leh to be briefed about operational preparedness of the Indian military against the aggressive Chinese People’s Liberation Army.
Accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, Modi’s first stop was the XIV Corps headquarters at Nimu outside Leh to ; he was briefed by Corps Commander Lt Gen Harinder Singh in the presence of Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Y K Joshi.
The decision of PM Modi to go to Leh was kept under wraps till he landed at the airport with the entire coordination done by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Rawat and Naravane.
NSA Doval, who came out of self-imposed isolation after two weeks, chose to remain in Delhi.
Experts said the presence of PM Modi in the Ladakh region has not only sent a signal to
China that India means business and will not surrender even an inch of its territory but also reassured the local population.
Indian Army and Chinese PLA are facing off at four points on the LAC in East Ladakh with the latter consolidating on ground while mouthing peace overtures.
It is understood that Prime Minister Modi gave a message to the Ladakh commanders that they should not initiate any escalation from their side but should definitely retaliate to any aggression.
The same message was also given out during the 2017 Doklam crisis.
ACCOMPANIED BY CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF GENERAL BIPIN RAWAT AND ARMY CHIEF MANOJ MUKUND NARAVANE, MODI’S FIRST STOP WAS THE XIV CORPS HEADQUARTERS AT NIMU OUTSIDE LEH