Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Pakistan has lost the strength to fight a conventional war, but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism.

He said, the Indian Armed Forces are suffering more casualties from terrorism than from war. Mr Modi said, this is a global problem and all humanitarian forces of the world should unite to fight it.

He said that India is committed to strengthening and uniting these humanitarian forces. He asserted India is committed to strong armed forces, well-equipped with modern arms and technology.

The Prime Minister said that the jawans should be assured that the entire country supports them. In an emotional vein, Narendra Modi said, soldiers remain undeterred in spite of the many negatives and struggles that their families face in day-to-day life.

The Prime Minister said that this energy and sense of duty inspires him and therefore, he keeps visiting jawans on the border to seek inspiration.

Mr Modi said that our armed forces deployed in border areas are well-connected with the people who live there. He highlighted the example of the Kargil infiltrations, about which the first information was given to our armed forces by a shepherd named Tashi Namgyal.

The Prime Minister mentioned provisions made in the recent Union Budget towards the modernization and welfare of the armed forces. He said that the government is committed to make India self-reliant in defence manufacturing.

Later, writing in the Visitor’s Book at Leh Auditorium, he said that peace and security is a pre-requisite for development.

The Prime Minister also interacted with jawans. Prime Minister was addressing officers, soldiers and air warriors of the Indian Army and Air Force at Leh and condemned the continuing proxy war by Pakistan.

The Governor of Jammu and Kashmir NN Vora, the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, Power minister Piyush Goyal, the National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, the Nimoo Bazgo Hydel project in Leh district to the nation. He also laid the foundation of Leh-Srinagar Power transmission line.

Later addressing a largely attended public meeting at Leh, Mr. Modi said that the Centre is keen to develop power sector and create greater connectivity in the Ladkh region and other parts of the state.

This, he said, will accelerate pace of development in the state and lead to creation of more job opportunities.