Leh, Jul 3 (UNI) Asserting that the bravery shown by Indian troops in Ladakh has sent a message to the world about India’s strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said ‘enemies of Bharat Mata have seen the fire and fury of our soldiers’.

PM Modi, who on Friday reached here on a surprise visit to review the ground security situation amid the standoff with China at Line of Actual Control (LAC) and said those who are weak can never initiate peace as bravery is a pre-requisite for peace.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing soldiers at one of the forward locations in Nimu, which is located at 11,000 feet above sea level.

“Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted today. Today as I’m among you I can feel the courage and valour in all of you. When the safety of the country is in your hands, then there is a belief. Not only me, but the entire nation believe in you and is not worried. As you protect our borders, it inspires every citizen to work day and night. Our resolve for self-reliant India has become stronger because of you and your strong resolve,” Mr Modi said.

“The valour shown by you recently has shown India’s strength on the global front. Leh, Ladakh to Siachen and Kargil and Galwan's icy waters, every mountain, every peak is witness to the valour of Indian soldiers,” he said.

Lauding the soldiers, he said, “Bharat Mata’s enemies have seen your fire and fury. Those who are weak can never initiate peace as bravery is a pre-requisite for peace. Your willpower is as strong and firm as Himalayas; the whole country is proud of you.”

PM Modi also paid tributes to the soldiers who were killed in the Galwan Valley face-off with the Chinese troops. “I once again pay my tributes to the brave soldiers martyred in Galwan clash. These soldiers were from different parts of the country,” he said.

In an attempt to boost the morale of the Indian soldiers post stand-off which China that left 20 Indian soldiers dead, PM Modi said, “Tales of your bravery and valour are echoing in every house in the country.”

Praising the women soldiers, who were present during the address, the Prime Minister said, “I am looking at women soldiers in front of me. In the battlefield at the border, this view is inspiring...Today I speak of your glory.”

He said the world has seen the Indian soldiers' efforts to maintain peace and how they worked for the betterment of humanity. “Whether World Wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our braves and their efforts towards peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity,” he said.

The PM also announced that the Indian government has increased the expenditure on the development of infrastructure in the border areas by three times.
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