<p>Addressing soldiers along the India-Pakistan border in Longewala in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister on Saturday lashed out at “expansionist forces”, an apparent reference to China, and termed the idea as a “mental disorder”.</p>.<p>Amid a standoff with China and Pakistan, PM Modi also sent out a clear message that India believed in the policy of understanding and explaining, but anyone testing its resolve will get an <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/pm-modi-celebrates-diwali-with-jawans-warns-of-befitting-reply-if-tested-at-border-915465.html">equally fierce response</a>.</p>.<p>“Today, the entire world is troubled due to expansionist forces. Expansionism is, in a way, reflective of 18th-century thinking. India is becoming a voice against such thinking,” Modi said addressing Indian Army and Border Security Force forces.</p>.<p>The Prime Minister said that the entire world was now coming to know that India would not compromise one bit on matters of national interest.</p>.<p>“India’s stature and power are entire because of your valour,” Modi said recalling the historic battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.</p>.<p>“World history tells us that only those nations have remained safe and progressed who have the ability to counter the invaders,” he said even as India remained in a tense standoff with Chinese troops in Ladakh.</p>.<p>The Prime Minister’s remarks come a day after <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/multiple-ceasefire-violations-by-pakistan-along-loc-5-security-forces-personnel-among-11-killed-915108.html">five soldiers were killed in ceasefire violations</a> by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir.</p>.<p>This was the seventh consecutive year when the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with the armed forces deployed at the forward posts.</p>.<p>Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief M M Naravane and Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Rakesh Asthana accompanied the Prime Minister.</p>.<p>“Whenever the valour of our soldiers is talked about, the Battle of Longewala will be remembered. Our soldiers gave a befitting reply to Pakistani soldiers in that battle,” Modi said, paying rich tributes to Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, who played a courageous role in defending the post and defeating the Pakistani forces.</p>.<p>“The Battle of Longewala proved that no one can stand in front of the combined might of Indian forces – Army, Navy and Air Force,” the Prime Minister said.</p>
<p>Addressing soldiers along the India-Pakistan border in Longewala in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister on Saturday lashed out at “expansionist forces”, an apparent reference to China, and termed the idea as a “mental disorder”.</p>.<p>Amid a standoff with China and Pakistan, PM Modi also sent out a clear message that India believed in the policy of understanding and explaining, but anyone testing its resolve will get an <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/pm-modi-celebrates-diwali-with-jawans-warns-of-befitting-reply-if-tested-at-border-915465.html">equally fierce response</a>.</p>.<p>“Today, the entire world is troubled due to expansionist forces. Expansionism is, in a way, reflective of 18th-century thinking. India is becoming a voice against such thinking,” Modi said addressing Indian Army and Border Security Force forces.</p>.<p>The Prime Minister said that the entire world was now coming to know that India would not compromise one bit on matters of national interest.</p>.<p>“India’s stature and power are entire because of your valour,” Modi said recalling the historic battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war.</p>.<p>“World history tells us that only those nations have remained safe and progressed who have the ability to counter the invaders,” he said even as India remained in a tense standoff with Chinese troops in Ladakh.</p>.<p>The Prime Minister’s remarks come a day after <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/multiple-ceasefire-violations-by-pakistan-along-loc-5-security-forces-personnel-among-11-killed-915108.html">five soldiers were killed in ceasefire violations</a> by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir.</p>.<p>This was the seventh consecutive year when the Prime Minister celebrated Diwali with the armed forces deployed at the forward posts.</p>.<p>Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief M M Naravane and Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Rakesh Asthana accompanied the Prime Minister.</p>.<p>“Whenever the valour of our soldiers is talked about, the Battle of Longewala will be remembered. Our soldiers gave a befitting reply to Pakistani soldiers in that battle,” Modi said, paying rich tributes to Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri, who played a courageous role in defending the post and defeating the Pakistani forces.</p>.<p>“The Battle of Longewala proved that no one can stand in front of the combined might of Indian forces – Army, Navy and Air Force,” the Prime Minister said.</p>
