Rajnath Singh in Leh: Reviews Army preparedness, boosts morale of soldiers

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives in Ladakh, Friday morning, July 17, 2020. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane accompanied him on the visit. (PTI Photo)

Rajnath Singh inspects a Pika machine gun at Stakna, Leh, as he reviewed perparedness of the Army. (PTI Photo)

The Defence Minister witnessed para-trooping and other military demonstrations at Stakna, Leh, Friday. He also interacted with the soldiers at the forward base in eastern Ladakh. (PTI Photo)

Singh, who arrived in Leh more than a month after 20 soldiers were killed in Galwan Valley on June 15, assured the troops that their sacrifice will not go in vain. (PTI Photo)

“We will not allow the sacrifice of soldiers to go in vain. National pride is our strength; nobody can hurt it. Your bravery and sacrifice will always inspire us," the Defence Minister said. (PTI Photo)

Rajnath’s trip also comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Ladakh on July 3 during which he also addressed troops and signalled the country’s firmness in dealing with the India-China border row. (PTI Photo)

Singh was originally scheduled to visit Ladakh on July 3 to carry out a comprehensive review of the security scenario in the region in wake of the border row with China, but the trip was deferred. (Twitter/Rajnath Singh)

Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a bitter standoff in multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for over eight weeks since May 5. The tension escalated manifold after the violent clashes in Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed. However, following a series of diplomatic and military talks, the two sides began a mutual disengagement process on July 6 and withdrew troops from most of the friction points. (Twitter/Rajnath Singh)