Prime Minister Modi assured jawans at the base camp in Siachen that the country stands shoulder-to-shoulder with them wherever they are, and whether serving or retired. Mr. Modi visited the jawans and shared Diwali with them on Thursday. He also said their dreams and responsibilities were the responsibility of the entire country. The Prime Minister later handed over a cheque for Rs. 5 lakh for the welfare of the jawans, and personally offered sweets to them.
Manmohan Singh in 2005 was the first Prime Minister to visit the base camp of the world’s highest battlefield at 6,700m above sea level where India and Pakistan have been in a confrontation since 1984.
There have been several attempts to demilitarise Siachen but the efforts haven’t fructified and Mr. Modi’s visit comes amid repeated ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pakistan Line of Control.
