PM Narendra Modi makes surprise visit to Ladakh to review situation

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit to Leh, Ladakh

Amid the recent row with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unannounced visit to a forward post in Ladakh this morning and interacted with troops days after the June 15 border clash with China in which 20 soldiers were martyred in the line of duty. The Prime Minister’s visit served as a morale booster for the forces and a powerful message to China, which has shown unrelenting aggression at the border.

The tensions along the LAC escalated after 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in violence in Galwan valley area of Eastern Ladakh on the night of June 15. The Chinese side also suffered heavy casualties. The two sides had also held commander-level meets on June 6 and 22 at Moldo, on the Chinese side of the LAC.

The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane accompanied the PM as he toured the region and met with soldiers.

Earlier in the week, Indian and Chinese armies held an 11-hour long meeting at Chushul, along the Indian side of the LAC where they discussed plans to disengage from the Galwan heights. India also reportedly asked China to move to pre-May 4 positions.

While the meetings have been ‘cordial’ and ‘positive’, there has been no concrete outcome in terms of de-escalation along the LAC, the de-facto border between India and China.