PM Modi makes surprise Ladakh visit amid Indo-China tension

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Leh, Ladakh, on Friday morning to review the on-ground security situation amid the border standoff with China and the progress in talks with the Chinese military.

Prime Minister Modi will also interact with the soldiers, in what will be a morale booster for the forces. The unannounced visit comes just a day after defence minister Rajnath Singh put off his own visit to the forward locations, with sources saying the government was waiting to see if the Chinese would honour the commitments made during the Corps Commander-level talks over three rounds - on June 6, June 22 and June 30.

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The area PM Modi visited is located at 11,000 tough terrain feet at Zanskar Range on the banks of Indus. Reported by ANI, sources informed that CDS Rawat visited today. The visit is important as the Defence Min visit has been rescheduled.

The PM Modi visit comes after the Galwan Valley encounter, which led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers on 15th and 16th June.

This was an unprovoked attack by the Chinese border troops on Indian soldiers. The incident represents a watershed in India’s relations with China and marks the end of a 45-year chapter which saw no armed confrontation involving loss of lives on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Currently, both countries are engaging in diplomatic talks to contain the issue. However, the Indian government has retaliated with the closure of 59 Chinese apps amid the fears of 'data mining' by the Chinese. Concerned citizens have also raised the matter of India's heavy import from China. How the PM Modi led further responds to the situation will be understood in the coming days.

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