Srinagar, August 12
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday delivered three strong messages, one of which was directly targeted at Pakistan. He said the neighbouring country was indulging in a “proxy war” as it had “lost the strength to fight a conventional war”.

His second message was for the overall development and connectivity to the remotest areas in the country. He said the terrain from where he was speaking “is the landlocked Ladakh which remains cut off from the rest of the world for six months”. He spelled out three Ps for the people — paryavaran (environment), prakash (light) and paryatan (tourism) — to transform their lives.

The third message was against corruption. “Na mein khaunga, na khane dunga” (neither will he indulge in corruption nor will he allow anyone to do so).

Modi’s day began by addressing troops in the Leh auditorium where he saluted soldiers for their bravery and the difficulties faced by their families. Some soldiers became emotional when Modi said their children don’t get admission in schools and their families were not treated in hospitals with a deserving care.

On his first visit to Leh and Kargil district of the Ladakh region, Modi highlighted the role of soldiers and their families in securing the nation on the borders and the hinterland. He also gave a clarion call to all humanitarian forces to unite against terrorism.

He emphasised the role of soldiers in defending the borders and mentioned Pakistan’s game of proxy war of terrorism. He noted with a deep concern that the Indian armed forces were suffering more casualties from terrorism than war. It is for the first time that he has spoken against Pakistan in such strong terms and the backdrop was clear: the coming together of jihadi forces in Pakistan and their call for anti-India activities in Kashmir, continuing ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces, infiltration and the recurring attacks on security forces. It was Modi’s second visit to Jammu and Kashmir. His first visit to the state as the Prime Minister was on July 4.

Dressed in a traditional Ladakhi dress after laying the foundation stone of the Leh-Srinagar transmission line and inaugurating Nimoo Bazgo hydroelectric project, Modi spoke the language of people’s development and empowerment by harnessing the solar energy potential of the cold desert.

The PM promised he would pay back the debt with interest for the love and affection the people showered on him.

In Kargil, he spoke of patriotism of the locals who assisted the Indian Army during the Kargil war. “We draw inspiration from you, rather the whole nation draws inspiration from you,” he told the audience that had seen a Prime Minister talking to them face-to-face for the first time.

Modi said: “Our armed forces deployed along borders are well-connected with the people who live there. The first information about infiltrations ahead of the Kargil war was given by a shepherd, Tashi Namgyal.”

The Prime Minister mentioned provisions made in the recent Union Budget for the modernisation and welfare of the armed forces, including ‘One Rank One Pension’. He also promised that the National War Memorial would be built to inspire the future generations. The government was committed to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing, said the PM.

Later, writing in the visitor’s book at the Leh auditorium, Modi said peace and security was a pre-requisite for development. Governor of Jammu and Kashmir NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MoS (I/C) for Power Piyush Goyal, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Chief of the Army Staff General Dalbir Singh were also present.