In first public remarks on the death of 20 Indian Army personnel in violent clashes with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday said India wants peace but “will give a befitting reply” if provoked.
“I want to assure the nation that the sacrifice made by our soldiers will not go in vain. India’s integrity and sovereignty is supreme for us, and no one can stop us from defending it. Nobody should have any iota of doubt about this. India wants peace. But on provocation, India will give a befitting reply,” the Prime Minister said.
India had through its history tried to get along with its neighbours in the spirit of cooperation, and resolved differences before they became disputes. “But we have also, whenever our sovereignity is challenged, reacted with strength in defending ourselves. Peace and sacrifice is in our national character but so is valour and resolve,” he said.
“Let there be no doubt that we will act to defend our integrity and sovereignity,” he stated.
The Prime Minister has been briefed in detail about the events that took place on Monday night in east Ladakh and his only reference to that in his statement was to assure Indians that “our soldiers died having battled and killed the enemy”, a signal that there were significant casualties on the Chinese side as well.
He then asked the Chief Ministers and Lt. Governors of 15 States and UTs present at the meeting to observe two minutes of silence as a mark of respect to the soldiers who died on Monday.