Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met soldiers injured in the Galwan Valley clash with China and told them that 130 crore Indians were proud of their valour.

The prime minister visited the injured soldiers in hospital in Leh, soon after he addressed soldiers deployed in Ladakh.

“Our country has never bowed down and will never bow down to any world power, and I am able to say this because of braves like you,” PM Modi said while interacting with the soldiers, who were injured in the June 15 clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

ALSO READ | PM Modi wraps up Ladakh visit with a swipe at China, says times have changed

In a veiled reference to China, the PM said that the country will never bow to any other power in the world.

“I have come here to thank each one of you. Our India is self-reliant. Our country has never bowed down and will never bow down to any world power. I pay my respects to you as well as to the mothers who gave birth to braves like you. Hope everyone gets well soon,” he said.

Earlier in the day, addressing soldiers in Nimu, Prime Minister Modi, in an apparent swipe at China said the age of expansionism was over and added that the new age of development was the one nations should focus on.

“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 has witnessed that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the people of Ladakh had rejected every attempt to create separatism in the region.

Praising the soldiers for their bravery on June 15, the Prime Minister said, “The braves who left us, they did not depart without reason, all of you gave a befitting reply. Your bravery, the blood you shed will inspire our youth and countrymen for generations.”

ALSO READ | ‘No party should complicate border tension’: China after PM’s Ladakh visit

“You are in a hospital that’s why you may not know that 130 crore citizens are proud of you. A message has gone to the world about the valour shown by you bravehearts. The way you stood up to the powers, the world wishes to know who are these bravehearts? What is their training? What is their sacrifice? The world is analyzing your bravery. The blood you have shed is an inspiration to our country,” PM Modi said.

The India-China border situation continues to remain 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.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister made a surprise visit to Ladakh and was briefed by senior officers at Nimu amid ongoing tensions with China. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane.