PM Modi: India's commitment to peace is not weakness

NEW DELHI, July 3 (KUNA) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that his country is committed to peace but it should not be seen as India's weakness.
The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Modi traveled to Nimu in Ladakh in the Himalayan region and met top leadership of the Army and interacted with personnel of the Army and Air Force.
Modi underlined that "India is committed to peace and friendship but this commitment to peace should not be seen as India's weakness." The visit of Indian PM to Ladakh came few days after the killing of 20 Indian troopers by the Chinese forces in an encounter at Galwan Valley in the border region and the tension between the two nuclear powers is still reigning high.
"Prime Minister paid rich tributes to the valour of our Armed Forces, stating that their courage and devotion to Mother India is unparalleled. He stated that Indians can go about their lives peacefully because they know that our Armed Forces are standing firm, protecting the nation," the statement said.
He also underlined that Indian defence capabilities have been enhanced through modernization of weapons and upgradation of infrastructure.
"Today India is becoming stronger, be it in naval might, air power, space power and the strength of our army," he said.
He also stressed that virtues of peace, friendship and courage have been a part of India's culture.
However, any attempt to disturb the prevailing atmosphere of peace and progress would be given a befitting reply.
The Indian PM also recalled that "Indian soldiers had a long history of bravery and competence in global military campaigns, including in the two World Wars." The visit of Modi came in the backdrop of high tension between the two Asian giants following the killing of Indian soldiers and both the sides accused the other of instigating the violence.
In wake of the border tension, Indian authorities had banned 59 web apps mostly Chinese which the Indian Ministry of Information Technology termed as "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order".
Both the sides also held several discussions at ministerial and army official levels to ease the border tension. (end) atk.ibi