Picture : Twitter / ANI
Breaking his silence on the India- China stand-off and the violent clash in the Galwan valley, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation after 20 Indian soldiers were killed said the sacrifice of Indian soldiers killed in the Galwan Valley clash in Ladakh will not go in vain.
In his opening remarks on day two of the virtual conference with chief ministers on coronavirus, he also said that India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply, if instigated.
For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country is most important, he said. Modi said India has always tried that differences do not become disputes. Modi added that sacrifice and determination were part of India’s character.
“But at the same time, valour and bravery are also as integral parts of our national identity. I want to assure the nation — the sacrifices of our soldiers will not go in vain. For us integrity and sovereignty is topmost and nobody can stop us from protecting India’s integrity and sovereignty.”
As far as securing India’s integrity was concerned, Modi said, “Nobody should not have any doubts or suspicions. India wants peace but on being provoked certainly has the capability to respond appropriately. Of our martyred soldiers, the country should be proud. They went down while fighting.”
Later, the prime minister and those attending the meeting observed silence of a few minutes as a mark of respect for the slain soldiers.
Prime Minister Modi has now called an all party meeting on June 19th to discuss the India- China face-off. presidents of various political parties will participate in the meeting at 5pm on June 19 via videoconferencing.
