Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized China on Saturday, saying expansionism was a mental disorder that mirrored the thinking of centuries past.
Today, the whole world is affected by expansionist forces. Expansionism is, in a way, a mental disorder and reflects 18th century thinking. India is also becoming a strong voice against this thinking, “the prime minister said in a speech to Indian troops at Longewala post in Rajasthan.
Although Modi did not name China, who his message was addressed to could not have been in doubt given that India and China are locked in a face-to-face confrontation along the border in eastern Ladakh. Tensions have been high since May, when India first noticed the intrusions of Chinese soldiers into India.
Modi also had a message for Pakistan.
India is in good hands only because the country’s armed forces have the strength to stand up to terrorism and other anti-national powers, he said.
“The whole world, especially those countries that promote terrorism, have seen that Indian forces can enter other countries and kill terrorists,” he said. The reference was to two attacks by India within the territory held by Pakistan in 2016 and 2019 in response to terrorist attacks in Kashmir.
Modi also thanked the families of the soldiers deployed along the border during the festival season. “I bow down to the families of the soldiers,” he said in tribute to the families.
“In 2014, I celebrated Diwali in Siachen. Many people were surprised. But you know me, I’m always with my own people during festivals. And I’ve continued that tradition even this year, “Modi said.
Longewala Post is a strategic post on the western border where the first major battle of the 1971 India-Pakistan War, known as the Battle of Longewala, was fought.
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