PM Modi picked a place where a large number of soldiers could assemble safely.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing troops during a surprise visit to a forward post in Ladakh today, said: "Your bravery and dedication for the motherland is unparalleled. 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 all are stationed. Your arms are as strong as the mountains that surround you. Your confidence, determination and belief is as immovable (Atal) and the peaks here," he said.
PM Modi, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and Army Chief General MM Naravane, was flown by chopper to Nimu, 11,000 feet up in the Himalayas and on the banks of the river Indus.
PM Modi made a surprise visit to a forward post in Ladakh this morning and interacted with troops days after the June 15 border clash with China in which 20 soldiers were killed in the line of duty. The Prime Minister's visit served as a morale booster for the forces and a powerful message to China, which has shown unrelenting aggression at the border with incursions spotted in satellite images.
Here are the updates on PM Modi's Visit to Ladakh:
JustIn| China responds to PM Modi's strong message in Ladakh, says "groundless to view China as expansionist"
In Direct Message to China, PM At Ladakh: 10 Big PointsPrime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to a forward post in Ladakh this morning and interacted with troops days after the June 15 border clash with China in which 20 soldiers were killed in the line of duty. "The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History knows that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back," he said, addressing soldiers during the visit that served as a morale booster for the forces and a powerful message to China, which has shown unrelenting aggression at the border with incursions seen in satellite images.
Read more Courage is all about standing your ground and defending the truth and defending what is right. And the sons of India who gave their life for the nation defending the motherland have shown courage at the highest level. Today, all of India is talking about you all and your contribution to the nation. Every home in India is discussing your bravery and every citizen stands in your support. The nation salutes you and looks up to you. Your fellow countrymen will do everything it takes to ensure that the India you all envisage is the India of the future, said PM Modi.
For a long time, India had been desiring seamless communication and coordination between the various divisions of the armed forces, today we have it in form of the Chief of Defence Staff. Today, our soldiers have also got their other long-pending demand of a One Rank One Pension (OROP).
Progress is the only way forward. But, unfortunately, there are powers which believe in Expansion (Vistarvaad). Vistaarvaad has in the past, always led to wars and the defeat of those who tried to go beyond themselves. Vistaarvad only led to their destruction. Never in history has Vistaarvad ever been successful for those who tried it. Today, the world is dedicated to Vikaasvaad (Progress), and India will always focus on this, said PM Modi.
Everyone agrees that peace and friendship is what is best for the world, but peace does not mean weakness, nor should it be believed to be so. Today, India is growing and is stronger than ever before to defend itself. We are building and strengthening our nation to ensure peace. This must not be misunderstood. Strengthening our nation is our right, and we shall continue to do so.
What you have done here, the message you have sent, is a message that has reached the world. It has been a bold statement. Today, every single Indian across the world and especially in India, has the belief that you all can deliver and keep the nation strong and safe, PM Modi address to soldiers in Ladakh.
What you have done here, the message you have sent, is a message that has reached the world. It has been a bold statement. Today, every single Indian across the world and especially in India, has the belief that you all can deliver and keep the nation strong and safe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ladakh said, "The conditions in which you all deliver your best are among the toughest in the world, and you have proven time and again that the Indian armed force is mightier and better than everyone else in the world."
Your bravery and dedication for the motherland is unparalleled. Your courage is higher than the highest regions where you all are stationed. Your arms are as strong as the mountains that surround you. Your confidence, determination and belief is as immovable (atal) and the peaks here, said PM Modi in Ladakh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi among soldiers after addressing them in Nimmoo, Ladakh.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted saying, "A true leader always leads from the front."
According to the Prime Minister's office, he was at a forward location in Nimu. He reached there early in the morning by chopper from Leh and will return later today.
In photos, PM Modi sat in a camouflage tent as he spoke to the troops seated at a distance from each other against the backdrop of the Himalayas.
Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane accompanied the PM as he toured the region, met with soldiers and was briefed on the face-off with China since early May.