PM Narendra Modi visits Indian troops near Chinese border following deadly clash
- Visit to soldiers in Ladakh is described as effort to send strong message to Beijing after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in the skirmish
- Prime minister warns that countries that become ‘consumed by expansionism’ either pose a threat to humanity or have ‘destroyed the world’
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to the Himalayan border region of Ladakh on Friday, just three days after an initial agreement with China on the phased disengagement of frontline troops.
Modi’s unannounced trip, during which he visited a military base, was described by analysts as sending a strong message to Beijing and the Indian public following a deadly clash between the opposing sides.
Both sides have significantly reinforced their forces following the incident on June 15 in the disputed Galwan Valley, close to Chinese-controlled Aksai Chin.
It was the first time a clash between the two had resulted in fatalities in 45 years, with 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese dying in the largely hand-to-hand brawl.
On Friday, without mentioning Modi or his frontline visit, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian warned New Delhi against making a “strategic miscalculation” and lashed out at unspecified Indian officials for making what he called irresponsible remarks.