New Delhi: Stung by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to jawans saying that ‘era of expansionism is over’, China responded by claiming that it is “groundless” to view the country as “expansionist”.
“China has demarcated boundary with 12 of its 14 neighbouring countries through peaceful negotiations, turning land borders into bonds of friendly cooperation. It’s groundless to view China as “expansionist”, exaggerate & fabricate its disputes with neighbours,” said spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India in a tweet.
China’s response came within hours of PM Modi taking a dig at the dragon over its expansionist designs. Addressing the soldiers in Nimu, PM Modi said that the age of expansionism is over and the new age of development is here.
‘Galwan’s icy waters witness to valour of brave jawans’
“From Leh, Ladakh to Siachen and Kargil…and Galwan’s icy waters…every mountain, every peak is witness to the valour of Indian soldiers. Age of expansionism is over, this is the age of development. History is witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back,” said PM Modi.
The Prime Minister on Friday made a surprise visit to Ladakh and was briefed by senior officers at Nimu amid ongoing tension with China. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.
The situation at the India-China border remains tense after 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives in a violent face-off in the Galwan valley on June 15-16 when Chinese troops attempted to unilaterally change the status quo during the de-escalation. India and China have been involved in talks to ease the ongoing border tensions since last month.
