A day after his visit to Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday, 18 July, was in Kashmir, where he visited a forward post near the Line of Control in Kupwara district, and offered prayers at the Amarnath Temple.
"We are extremely proud of these brave and courageous soldiers who are defending our country in every situation," Singh wrote on Twitter after visiting the forward post and interacting with the soldiers deployed there.
He was being accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General MM Naravane.
No Force Can Take Even an Inch of Land From Us: Rajnath in Ladakh
In Ladakh on Friday, Singh had said that no force in the world can take away land from India, asserting that it is not a weak country.
"Talks are underway to resolve the border dispute, but to what extent it can be resolved, I cannot guarantee. I can assure you, not one inch of our land can be taken by any power in the world. If a solution can be found by talks, there is nothing better," the defence minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, as he expressed condolences and paid tributes to the Indian Army personnel who lost their lives in the Galwan Valley clash.
Singh had arrived in Leh early on Friday, accompanied by CDS Rawat and Army Chief Naravane. He interacted with personnel of the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Lukung.
"Our soldiers are the pride of the country. I am happy to be here, but at the same time sad about losing our braves at Patrolling Point 14. We will never forget their sacrifice. The prime minister has also said their sacrifice will not go in vain," Singh said in his address.
He also witnessed exercises by the troops, including some battle drills by the Ladakh Scouts. He was briefed on the prevailing situation, including the actual position of the troops on both sides.
Earlier, Singh had visited Stakna, near Leh. He witnessed the para dropping skills of the armed forces, tank manoeuvres and also tried hands on a Pika machine gun. Indian Army's T-90 tanks carried out exercises and armoured combat vehicles also displayed their prowess during the exercise.
Singh’s visit came after the fourth round of talks between India and China on 14 July, amid reports of disengagement between the two countries at at least three flashpoints in Ladakh, including the Galwan Valley.
Both India and China are keen on “complete disengagement,” the army had said in a statement, a day after the talks.
“India and China remain committed to the objective of complete disengagement. This process is intricate and requires constant verification. They are taking it forward through regular meetings at diplomatic and military level.”Indian Army Statement
Earlier, on 3 July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid a surprise visit to Ladakh, where he met the soldiers who were injured in the Galwan Valley clash and paid tributes to those who were killed in the deadly brawl.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS.)
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