Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Ladakh on Friday, quietly edging out defence minister Rajnath Singh and monopolising the optics, and made a reference to “expansionism” that seemed an acknowledgement of the seriousness of the border situation.

Addressing the troops, Modi stuck to what appears a policy not to mention China but said: “The age of expansionism (vistarvad) is over; this is the era of development. History is witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back.”

Modi had seemed to play down the border threat on June 19, four days after 20 Indian soldiers had died in a face-off with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh, saying no one had entered Indian territory nor was occupying any Indian post.

He had since then ignored multiple demands to reveal the truth from the Congress and retired army veterans, who flagged satellite pictures and the testimony of Ladakh residents to insist there had been Chinese intrusion.

While his refusal to name and reprimand China threatened to dent his carefully cultivated image of a strong leader, Beijing gleefully cited his “no intrusion” stand to reassert its claim on the Galwan Valley.

Friday’s exercise seemed choreographed to control the damage. During a daylong visit, Modi addressed the troops at Nimu on the banks of the Indus, about 11,000ft above the sea level, and referred to the June 15 clash and paid homage to its 20 Indian dead.

He said India wanted peace but warned this should not be considered a weakness.

“The weak can never initiate peace; bravery is a prerequisite for peace,” he said.

He invoked Hindu mythology to stress the point: “We are the same people who pray to the flute-playing Krishna but also idolise and follow the Krishna who carried the Sudarshan Chakra.”

It was Rajnath who had been scheduled to visit Ladakh on Friday but government sources had on Thursday said the trip had been deferred.

A defence ministry official said the Prime Minister’s visit to Ladakh was a “subtle message” to China.

“The presence of the top political leadership is a huge morale booster for the troops and is also a subtle message to China,” he said.

An army veteran who asked not to be quoted said China had changed the status quo at several points along the Line of Actual Control by occupying land India regards as its own.

“We are happy that the Prime Minister visited Ladakh and hope he would have been briefed by the military brass that the Chinese have indeed intruded into Indian territory,” he told The Telegraph.

The veteran said: “He should now apologise to the 20 soldiers killed in action and the 76 injured soldiers whom he had abandoned in his embarrassing (June 19) statement.”
During his 26-minute speech — the video was given to all the TV channels — Modi extolled the bravery of the country’s soldiers and chanted “Bharat Mata ki jai” and “Vande mataram”.

Describing the gathered soldiers as “the brave sons of Ma Bharati”, he said: “Bharat Mata’s enemies have seen your fire and fury.”

The Leh-based 14 Corps is known as the Fire and Fury Corps. “Tales of your bravery and valour are echoing in every house in the country,” the Prime Minister said.
Initially, state-run broadcaster Prasar Bharati had tried to project Nimu, 35km from Leh, as a “forward location”.

“PM Narendra Modi is presently at one of the forward locations in Nimu. He reached there early in the morning. He is interacting with personnel of the army, air force and ITBP,” it tweeted in the morning.

“Since when #Nimu has become a forward post? It is a tourist spot. Person who could not say #China even once is only busy in PR excel use and nothing more. Rubbish,” Lt Col (retd) Anil Duhoon said in a tweet.

Modi had arrived in Leh early in the morning, accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, and the army chief, General M.M. Naravane.

He interacted with personnel from the air force, army and the ITBP before being flown by helicopter to Nimu.

After addressing the troops, Modi visited the military hospital in Leh where he met soldiers injured in the June 15 clash.

Sources said the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing from the 14 Corps commander, Lt Gen. Harinder Singh.

At Nimu, Modi told the troops: “Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted. The bravery that you and your compatriots showed has sent a message to the world about India’s strength.”

He said India had always given a fitting reply to anyone who tried to disturb peace or progress.

“Today, India is becoming stronger, be it in naval might, air power, space power or the strength of our army. Modernisation of weapons and upgrade of infrastructure have enhanced our defence capabilities multi-fold,” he said.

Modi said the government had increased threefold the expenditure on development and infrastructure in the border areas.

“Whether it’s a World War or peacetime, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our brave soldiers and their efforts towards peace. We have worked for the betterment of humanity,” he said.

Modi described Ladakh as a land of sacrifice and one that had produced many patriots.

He said Indians were inspired by the teachings of the Buddha, for whom courage was linked to conviction and compassion.