Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured that sacrifice made by Indian soldiers at Galwan valley would not go in vain.
While stating that the country culturally remained peace-loving, it did not believe in instigation but would not compromise with its unity and integrity.
“Today, the whole country and the sentiments of the country are with you, we will not let their sacrifice go in vain,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said ahead of the scheduled PM-CMs virtual conference.
This is the first statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the reports of violent clashes in the valley with Chinese soldiers on Monday night resulted in the loss of lives.
The Prime Minister paid homage to the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the defence of the country. The assembly also observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the soldiers.
Underscoring that for ages the county had stood for peace in the world, wishing for the welfare of mankind, he said India always worked in a cooperative and friendly manner with its neighbours for their welfare and growth.
Whenever there were differences, the effort was that these do not turn into disputes.
“We never instigate anyone but we do not compromise with country’s integrity…whenever the time came, we have defended it demonstrating and proving our capability.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while the sacrifice was part of the country’s national character, bravery, too, was part of it assuring that the sacrifice of the soldiers would not go in vain.
“For us, the integrity of the nation is supreme and no one can stop us from protecting it.”
India wanted peace, he said, but if instigated, it would give a decisive answer in every condition and no one should have any doubt in this regard.
“The country takes pride that the soldiers went down fighting,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message came after the government announced that an all-party meeting will be held on Friday with leaders of all political parties on the India-China border issues.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said that the all-party meeting has been convened to discuss the situation along the India-China border.
The meeting at 5.00 pm comes after the Opposition demanded that the government share the real situation the country is facing on its borders.
Twenty Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, were killed on Monday evening in a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.
External Affairs Minister speaks to Chinese Foreign Minister
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar over the phone, an official statement said on Wednesday evening.
“India and China should follow important consensus reached by their leaders,” Wang told Jaishankar, the statement said.
Wang said he emphasised that the two sides should strengthen communication and coordination through the existing mechanism to resolve their differences. — (TNS with inputs from agencies)
