Era of expansionism over: PM

Modi visits Ladakh on closely-guarded trip, says valour shown by soldiers had sent a message to the world

NEW DELHI: The era of expansionism is over and India’s enemies have seen the “fire and fury” of its armed forces, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, as he visited Ladakh on a closelyguarded trip to the Union Territory (UT) that has been at the centre of the stand-off with China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops since early May.

In an address telecast live from Ladakh to the country, Modi told soldiers posted along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) that the courage they had demonstrated had sent a message to the entire world, referring to the violent clash between soldiers of India and China at Galwan Valley on June 15. “From Leh, Ladakh to Siachen and Kargil...and Galwan’s icy waters...every mountain, every peak is witness to the valour of Indian soldiers,” PM Modi said.

“You have given a befitting reply to people who attempted to conquer,” he told them before going on to deliver his message to China.

Modi underscored that India had always pursued the path of

›

The era of expansionism has come to an end. This is era of development... History has proved that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back

NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister

peace in the world but at the same time, those who are weak can never initiate steps for peace. “Bravery and courage is a prerequisite for peace,” he said.

Without naming Beijing that has been trying to encroach into Indian territory in Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso and create new boundary disputes, the Prime Minister said times had changed and the era of expansionism was over. This is the time for development, not expansion, he said.

“The expansionist policies of some countries had affected world peace,” he said, in a reference to China’s disputes with 21 of

its neighbours. But history records that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back, Modi said, delivering his final shot before wrapping up his surprise visit.

PM Modi’s office had finalised the day-trip to Ladakh late on Thursday evening but kept it a closely-guarded secret till the last moment, officials aware of the developments said on condition of anonymity. News of the visit got out sometime after he landed at Leh’s airport, a height of over 11,000 feet, and is surrounded by the breathtaking Zanskar mountain range and the fast-flowing Indus river.

PM Modi, who was accompanied by chief of defence staff (CDS) Gen Bipin Rawat and Indian Army chief General MM Naravane, headed straight for his briefing by top military commanders at the XIV Corps headquarters at Nimu outside Leh.

Senior army commanders briefed the PM about the current situation on LAC amid the backdrop of hand-to-hand combat between Indian Army and China’s PLA on June 15 in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley that led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers dead.

PM Modi’s visit to the border area is high on symbolism and a morale booster for the troops that are leading the stand-off in Galwan valley and around Pangong Tso.

The vigil along the LAC has intensified since the stand-off with PLA troops, which have been trying to make incursions at several places.

Though senior Indian and PLA commanders have held several meetings in a bid to initiate a de-escalation and dis-engagement process, the talks have been inconclusive amid hopes of fresh rounds of parleys.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders hailed PM Modi’s visit to Ladakh, with party president JP Nadda saying his “words give words to the emotion of 130 crore Indians and act as a great morale booster for our armed forces”.

Union home minister Amit Shah said it will boost the morale of our valorous soldiers.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a veiled swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday over Chinese intrusions at the LAC, saying while Ladakhis claim that China has taken their land, the PM says otherwise and is “lying”.

“Ladakhis say: China took our land. PM says: Nobody took our land. Obviously, someone is lying,” he wrote on a Twitter. Gandhi also shared the voices of some Ladakhis in a video alleging that the Chinese have occupied Indian territory in Ladakh.

PM Modi had last visited Ladakh in February, 2019, before it was carved out a separate UT on October 31, 2019. Earlier, defence minister Rajnath Singh was slated to visit Ladakh, but his trip was cancelled at the last moment.