India will give befitting reply if provoked: Indian PM Modi at Longewala Post

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept with his practice of spending time with soldiers on the festival of Diwali. He on Saturday addressed troops at Longewala Post in Rajasthan, and asserted that India will give a "prachand jawaab" [fierce reply] if it is provoked.

Modi, in an apparent jibe at China, said the entire world feels troubled by "expansionist" forces and expansionism shows a "distorted mindset" which belongs to 18th century.

"India believes in policy of understanding others and making them understand but if an attempt to test it is made, then the country will give a fierce reply," he asserted.

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His unambiguous message came amid continuing standoff with China at Ladakh border.

No force in the world can prevent our soldiers from protecting our borders, he said, adding that India has shown that it has strength and the political will to give a befitting reply to those challenging it.

"The world now knows that India will not compromise with its interests even one bit," he said.

India has become a forceful voice against forces of expansionism, he said and also took aim at Pakistan, adding that Indian soldiers have hit "sponsors of terrorism" in their home, a reference to air and surgical strikes against terror camps in the neighbouring country.

He said India today believes in the policy of understanding others and making them understand but if it is tested, then it will give a fierce reply. The country has the capability and political will to give a befitting response to those who challenge it, he added.

The prime minister also underlined the importance of having strong capability, saying despite advanced international cooperation and equations, vigilance is the path to security, alertness leads to happiness and peace is the prize of having strength.

"History of the world tells us that only those nations have remained safe and advanced who had the ability to take on invaders," he said, adding that 130 crore Indians stand with the country's soldiers and bow to their bravely.

"They are proud of your valour," he told soldiers, saying their bravery has got better of all adversities, be it in deserts, forests or deep oceans.

Modi said his Diwali is complete only after he comes among soldiers, adding he cannot stay away from his own on this festival. He said the more time he spends with the soldiers, the stronger his resolve to serve and protect the country gets.

"Your sacrifices teach the country discipline and sense of service," the prime minister told soldiers, referring to his government's efforts to combat the coronavirus and also to restart the economic activity fully.

Urging soldiers to make innovation and yoga a part of their daily lives, he also asked them to learn one language other than Hindi, English and their mother tongue, saying it will enrich their lives.

The prime minister referred to his government's stress on self-reliance and 'vocal for local' campaign, and complimented the armed forces for the decision to bar import over 100 weapons and defence equipment.

Recalling the glorious battle of Longewala, he said it will always be remembered in the annals of strategic planning and military valour. He said this was the time when the ugly face of Pakistan was exposed as its army was terrorising innocent citizens of Bangladesh and committing atrocities against women.

On the occasion, he recalled the fierce fight the post had witnessed in the 1971 war against Pakistan and paid tributes to Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, a hero of the battle who was then a Major, saying he became "rashtra deep" with his feat of bravery.

It was also an example of exemplary coordination among Army, Navy and Air Force, he said.

India had defeated Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to the independence of Bangladesh.
Modi has been visiting forward posts every Diwali since his government came to power in 2014.

He was in Rajouri last year, in Uttarakhand in 2018 and in Gurez in 2017.

(with inputs from agencies)