Rajnath Singh visits Leh to review security amid border row with China

Guwahati: Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh arrived in Leh, Ladakh on Friday on a day-long visit to carry out a review of the security scenario in the region amid heightened tensions with China at the bordering region.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army chief Gen M M Naravane have accompanied the Defence Minister for the review. During his Leh visit, Rajnath Singh will visit Stakna and Lukung forward arear.

The Rajnath Singh Leh visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the region on July 3 in which he chided China for its "expansionist" agenda and also paid tribute to 20 soldiers who had died during a melee encounter with the Chinese PLA over a border dispute. Although Singh was scheduled to visit Ladakh to assess the situation amid the prevailing tensions, his trip was deferred.

Addressing the armed forces, he said, "The age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History has been witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to retreat."

Addressing the soldiers, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for their bravery and commitment to protect Indian borders. "This land will remember their sacrifices, you have made every Indian proud."

Since May 5, Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff at the bordering areas in eastern Ladakh at several locations for over 8 weeks. Tensions escalated further when the forces collided at Galwan Valley and fought using crude weapons. As many as 20 Indian army jawans and an unspecified number of Chinese troopers were killed in the skirmish.

However, following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a mutual disengagement process on July 6. Since then, troops have been withdrawn from the friction points at the border.

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