Jawans’ Sacrifice Won’t Go in Vain, Can Give Befitting Reply: PM

At least 20 Indian Army soldiers were killed in a violent face-off with China at Galwan Valley in Ladakh on Monday.

PM Modi and Xi Jinping

(Photo: Kamran Akhter/The Quint)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 17 June, said that the sacrifice of jawans in Ladakh won’t go in vain and that India can give a befitting reply if instigated.

“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...India wants peace but it is capable of giving a befitting reply if instigated” he said.

PM Modi made the remarks just ahead of the meet with chief ministers on the COVID-19 situation.

PM Modi, along with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the chief ministers of 15 states and union territories, who were present in the meeting via video-conferencing also observed two-minute silence as a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Galwan Valley clash.

(Catch all live updates of the India-China tensions here.)

We have tried that differences do not become disputes, PM Modi said while addressing the chief ministers.

At least 20 Indian Army soldiers were killed in the "violent face-off" with China at the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on Monday, while four others are said to be in critical condition. Meanwhile, as many as 35 troops have died or have been injured on the Chinese side after the clash, PTI reported on Wednesday, citing official sources, who in turn quoted US intelligence reports.

Home Minister AMit Shah also took to Twitter to say that the pain of the loss of lives cannot be expressed in words.

“The pain of losing our brave soldiers while protecting our motherland at Ladakh’s Galwan can not be put in words. Nation salutes our immortal heroes who sacrificed their lives to keep Indian territory safe and secure. Their bravery reflects India’s commitment towards her land,” he said.

“I bow to the families, who have blessed Indian Army with such great heroes. India will always remain indebted for their supreme sacrifice. Entire nation and Modi government stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he added.

China earlier on Wednesday said that the incident at Galwan Valley on Monday night happened on Chinese side of the LAC and the country is not to blame for it.

“We are having communication through diplomatic and military channels. The right and wrong of this is very clear... From the Chinese side, we do not wish to see more clashes,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian was quoted by ANI as saying.

(With inputs from ANI.)