Sacrifice Of Our Jawans Will Not Go In Vain, Will Respond To Provocation: PM Modi On India-China Faceoff

PM went on to say that India wants peace but "when instigated, India is capable of giving a befitting reply, be it any kind of situation."

(Image: ANI)

New Delhi: A day after 20 Indian Soldiers martyred in fire exchanges with China forces at Galwan Valley in Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured Indians and warned China that India always prioritizes peace, but bears strength of giving a befitting reply if instigated. ALSO WATCH | India-China Conflict: PM Modi Calls For All-Party Meet On Friday To Discuss Galwan Valley Tensions During his meeting with CMs of various states on Wednesday afternoon, PM Modi said, "I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our jawans will not be in vain. For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country is the most important." PM went on to say that India wants peace but "when instigated, India is capable of giving a befitting reply, be it any kind of situation." India and China were engaged in the worst face-off in last five decades, dealing casualties on both sides. 20 soldiers of Indian Army including a colonel rank officer were martyred in the scuffle while 40 of Chinese soldiers including a commanding officer were killed, sources have stated.

We have, in all ages, hoped for peace and the betterment of mankind. We've always worked in a friendly and co-operative way with our neighbours: PM Shri @narendramodi

— BJP (@BJP4India) June 17, 2020

PM Modi remarks on standoff with China came during his second round of meeting with Chief Ministers of various states and union territories (UTs). Before starting the meeting, PM Modi and state heads Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the chief ministers of 15 states and UTs observed two minutes silence as a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in Galwan Valley clash. PM Modi also said that the Indian government will defend every inch of Indian soil at all cost. Meanwhile, India and China are currently holding Major General-level talks in the Galwan valley to further defuse the situation after the violent face off between their troops on Monday evening.

Whatever the situation, India will protect every inch of its territory and its sovereignty. India, culturally, is a peace-loving country. Our history has been of peace: PM Shri @narendramodi

— BJP (@BJP4India) June 17, 2020

PM Modi has also called for an all-party meeting on June 19 over India-China border issue following the violent face-off with the Chinese troops. As per reports, several Indian Army soldiers are "critically injured" and are undergoing treatment and that "casualties could increase" in the one of the deadliest attack carried out by the Chinese Army at the LAC. The attack on Indian Army personnel by the Chinese People's Liberation Army happened on Monday night and continued for almost six to seven hours. Sources close to news agency IANS said that Indian helicopters flew around 16 times to bring bodies and injured Indian Army personnel from the site of the attack in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh region. On Tuesday, Indian Army issued a statement wherein it said, "17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the standoff location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total that were killed in action to 20."