Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said the “era of expansionism” is over, as he paid tribute to soldiers killed in last month’s border skirmish with China on a surprise visit to the northern Himalaya region of Ladakh. amid the growing tension between the Asian giants.
“The era of expansionism is over, this is the era of development. History is witness to the expansionist forces having lost or being forced to back down,” Modi said without naming China during his first trip to the disputed region. since the deadly border crash of June 15. , in which at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
Modi, who has been under pressure to respond to what India considers to be Chinese incursions, met with troops at a base in the Nimu area of Ladakh, images from Reuters partner ANI showed.
“His courage is higher than the heights he is posted at today,” he said in his speech to the soldiers in Ladakh.
“Because of the courage you and your compatriots showed, a message has been sent to the world about the strength of India.”
Previous images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Ladakh were later reported by senior officials in Nimmoo. pic.twitter.com/fDO6qvpMcM
– ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2020
Modi was accompanied by Defense Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
India and China have blamed it for provoking the high-altitude fight in the Galwan Valley on June 15, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed and at least 76 wounded.
In the border collision, soldiers engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat with sticks and batons about 4,270 meters (14,000 feet) above sea level amid sub-zero temperatures. That it was the worst border skirmish in almost 50 years.
Authorities said Modi was accompanied by Defense Chief of Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane [Reuters]
China has not disclosed how many casualties its troops suffered.
On Friday, he warned India not to make a “strategic miscalculation,” and Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian called on New Delhi to “work with China to safeguard the overall situation in bilateral relations.”
He also criticized Indian officials for making what he called irresponsible comments.
“India should not make a strategic miscalculation about China,” Zhao told reporters in a daily briefing.
Nuclear-armed neighbors have amassed troops along the 2,200-mile (3,500 km) long border, most of which are unbounded, and military and diplomatic talks are underway to reduce the confrontation.
India claims 38,000sq km (15,000sq miles) of land currently under Chinese control, while Beijing bets on an area of 90,000sq km (34,700sq miles) within Indian territory.
Analysts say the current clash on the Current Line of Control (LAC) is the result of China’s rejection of the construction of India’s military infrastructure on the de facto border in recent years.
Another reason, according to some experts, is related to India’s unilateral measure last year to repeal Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which had guaranteed an autonomy measure to Kashmir administered by India, which also included the disputed areas of the Ladakh region.
China, which, like Pakistan, viewed India’s move as unilaterally affecting its territory, strongly denounced the move at the United Nations Security Council last year.
India buys fighter jets
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Defending On Thursday, it approved the purchase of 21 Russian MiG-29 fighter jets and 12 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets costing $ 2.43 billion to increase its air force in the wake of the border clash with China.
India is also awaiting the arrival of the first batch of 36 Rafale fighter jets ordered as part of a $ 8.78 billion deal signed with France in 2016.
Last week, India banned 59 mobile phone applications, mostly Chinese, in retaliation for the killing of its soldiers that has sparked an anti-Chinese backlash.
China said on Friday that artificial blocks to bilateral cooperation would harm India’s interests and that the two countries should work together to maintain peace in their border region.
Beijing will take the necessary measures to defend the rights of Chinese companies in India, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference.
India-China annual Bilateral trade is $ 92 billion.
.
