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Japan stands in solidarity with India, says it opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by China

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Japan stands in solidarity with India, says it opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by China

Standing in solidarity with India, the Japanese ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki on Friday re-iterated that Japan was opposed to any unilateral action to change the status quo along the India-China border.

In a strong gesture of support for India amidst the ongoing tensions with China along the LAC, Japan delivered a powerful message to China that it will not accept any change in status-quo along the India-China border. Suzuki, through his official Twitter handle, posted the solidarity message after his conversation with India’s foreign secretary Harsh Shringla.

The Ambassador added that Japan hopes for peaceful resolution of the tension through dialogues. He informed that he has been briefed on the situation along the LAC by India, and was informed that Indian govt intends to pursue a peaceful resolution for the issue.

The statement from Japan comes at the backdrop of several meetings at the diplomatic and military levels between India and China, which has failed to achieve any results to end impasse along the LAC and even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi toured the Ladakh sector to meet troops and be briefed on the situation.

Earlier in May, the Japanese government had backed the efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution of the standoff.

“The Government of Japan’s position is that it is closely monitoring the situation, as it may have an impact on regional stability. The Government of Japan hopes that this situation will be resolved peacefully through dialogue between the concerned parties,” the country’s foreign ministry had said in a statement on July 18.

Japan is one of the members of the ‘Quad’ — a strategic group of India, the US and Australia – that has been formed to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region and to ensure it remains free from any kind of dispute.

On June 19, Japanese Ambassador to India Suzuki had reportedly conveyed Japan’s condolences to the people of India and to the families of the 20 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty at Galwan Valley.

Veer Bhogya Vasundhara, our enemies have seen your fire and fury: What PM Modi said in fiery speech to Jawans at Leh amidst India-China stand-off

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Veer Bhogya Vasundhara, our enemies have seen your fire and fury: What PM Modi said in fiery speech to Jawans at Leh amidst India-China stand-off

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Leh in Ladakh on Thursday. He delivered a speech to Indian Army personnel and personnel of the Indian Air Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. The visit to Leh in the wake of the conflict with China at the Line of Actual Control. During his speech, he paid tribute to the warriors of Galwan Valley.

Prime Minister Modi said, “Today, I pay tribute to the soldiers who were martyred in Galwan Valley. His might, from his battle cry, the earth is still cheering him on.” “Today, every countryman’s head bowes respectfully in front of you. Today every Indian’s chest is puffed up by your bravery and might,” he added.

Narendra Modi told the soldiers, “Our enemies have seen your fire and fury. This land in Ladakh is India’s crown. It has given several brave hearts to the nation.” He also said that the entire world was witness to the might and bravery of the Indian armed forces. He added, “Your courage, your dedication to protect the valor and honor of Mother Bharati is incomparable. Your livelihood is not less than anyone in life. In these difficult circumstances, no one in the world can compete against the height at which you protect and serve as a shield of Maa Bharati.”

The Prime Minister also invoked the spirit of ‘Veer Bhogya Vasundhara’ during his speech. He said, “We say here, Veer Bhogya Vasundhara. That is, the Veer (valorous) protect the motherland with the strength of his weapon. This land is heroic. Our strength and determination to protect it is as high as the Himalayas.”

In a not-so-subtle dig at China, Narendra Modi said, “The era of expansionism is over. The world has moved on to the path of development. The expansionist forces have ruined the world in the last century. But they have either been defeated or forgotten in history.” He also emphasised that peace is not a virtue that can be forced by the weak. Consistently, India is expanding its power on land, water and air.

Drawing inspiration from India’s civilisational heritage, Narendra Modi said that the Indian soldiers are part of the same tradition that has repelled invaders since centuries. He said that we are the same people who worship Bansuridhari Krishna (flutist Krishna) but also idolise the same Krishna who wields the Sudarshan Chakra. He also said that whenever he takes a decision for India’s national security, he thinks of two mothers, one is Maa Bharti and the other is the mother who gave birth to brave-hearts such as the Indian soldiers defending the country’s borders.

PM Modi’s Leh visit hits the intended target, China issues statement talking about “escalation of situation” and “diplomacy”

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi’s Leh visit hits the intended target, China issues statement talking about “escalation of situation” and “diplomacy”

After the PM Narendra Modi visited Ladakh to meet security personnel posted along the LAC, China has issued a statement saying that efforts are on to reduce tension between the two countries, and no party should do anything that can escalate the situation.

Addressing media, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijiant said, “India & China are in communication and negotiations on lowering the temperatures through military & diplomatic channels. No party should engage in any action that may escalate the situation at this point.”

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1278958686409457666

The Chinese spokesperson’s comment came when Indian PM Narendra Modi was being briefed by security officials about the preparedness against Chinese forces along the border. The PM, along with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen M N Naravane reached Leh in Ladakh on Friday morning to review the India’s readiness gainst the aggressive People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and also to understand the proposed de-escalation and disengagement process between the two nations at the conflict points along the border.

PM made a surprise visit to Ladakh, as it was decided only last evening. He met the security forces at Nimu near Leh to take stock of the situation. The PM also met soldiers who were injured during the clash with Chinese forces last month. The Prime Minister’s visit was meant as a morale booster for the armed forces and a powerful message to China, which is showing a non-stop aggression against India in the last several months.

The India-China border tension is at very high point at present after aggressive actions by Chinese military. After a scuffle between the two forces on the banks of Pangong Tso lake, the clashes took a deadly turn at the Galwan Valley along the LAC in mid-June. Although both the forces didn’t use firearms respecting treaties between both the nations, Chinese forces had attacked Indian patrolling parties with stones, sticks, rods wrapped with barbed wire and other such weaponry, which had left several Indian soldiers dead and injured. The Indian soldiers had immediately retaliated to this by counter attacking several Chinese camps in the area, and at the end of night-long fight, India had lost 20 soldiers. While China too acknowledged casualties on their side, they didn’t give a number, but it is estimated that more than 40 Chinese soldiers died in the clash.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s daughter Amrit Singh works for George Soros’ Open Society Justice Initiative

OpIndia Staff
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Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s daughter Amrit Singh works for George Soros’ Open Society Justice Initiative

The links between the Congress party and forces that seek to undermine India have given everyone plenty of cause for concern. Recently, it was discovered that China had paid the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF), managed by senior Congress leaders, more than Rs. 1 crore during the UPA regime.

More than that, the RGF also had links with other dubious elements, both within India and abroad. At OpIndia we have reported extensively on the links between the Congress party and American billionaire George Soros. The links revealed that George Soros, through his complex network of NGOs, had a disproportionate influence over the Congress party.

Now, it has come to notice that Amrit Singh, the daughter of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, is also associated with one of Soros’s initiatives. According to the website of Open Society Foundations, Amrit Singh “directs the project on national security and counterterrorism at the Open Society Justice Initiative.”

Source: OSF

Her bio on the OSF website states, “Singh conducts strategic litigation, documentation, and advocacy issues relating to counterterrorism measures including “counter-extremism” policies, freedom of expression restraints, extrajudicial killings (including through drones), rendition, torture, and arbitrary detention.”

“She also oversees Justice Initiative projects on economic justice, anticorruption, and freedom of information, association and assembly,” it adds. She has also received awards for her work on human rights law. In 2012, she was awarded the India Abroad Publisher’s Special Award for Excellence.

‘Globalising Torture: CIA Secret Torture and Extraordinary Rendition’, a report by Amrit Singh published by the Open Society Justice Initiative, received great attention in international media for exposing the global torture network following its release in 2012.

‘Globalising Torture: CIA Secret Torture and Extraordinary Rendition’, a report by Amrit Singh, daughter of former PM Manmohan Singh, for Soros Foundation

Apart from Amrit Singh, the Congress party also has several other links to George Soros. For instance, Shiv Shankar Menon, the National Security Adviser of India during the UPA regime, sits on the Board of one NGO along with George Soros. Furthermore, Harsh Mander, who was on the National Advisory Council formed by Sonia Gandhi, is also the Chairman of George Soros’s Open Society Foundation’s Human Rights Initiative Advisory Board.

The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation was in the limelight recently for the donations it received from foreign organisations. It also came to light that they had partnered with the Aman Biradari Trust, an NGO founded by Harsh Mander. Thus, Congress has deep ties with George Soros, the philanthropist who declared war on nationalism and nationalists. Given his past conduct and track record, such intimate relationships between the two factions do give Indians a lot of cause for concern.

Bharat Biotech-ICMR to launch indigenous coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN by August 15

OpIndia Staff
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Bharat Biotech-ICMR to launch indigenous coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN by August 15

In a major development, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body for the medical research in the country, on Thursday said that it will launch the coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN™ for the public use by August 15.

The country’s first coronavirus vaccine, which is developed in by ICMR in partnership with Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech could be released by August 15 for the public use.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech successfully developed COVAXIN™ in collaboration with the ICMR and National Institute of Virology (NIV). The SARS-CoV-2 strain was isolated in NIV, Pune and transferred to Bharat Biotech for the effort.

ICMR chief writes letter to all stakeholders

In a letter written to Bharat Biotech and principal investigators of medical colleges, ICMR Chief Balram Bhargava has asked for fast-tracking of the indigenous vaccine with an aim to launch by August 15.

“This is the first indigenous vaccine being developed by India and is one of the top priority projects which is being monitored at the topmost level of the Government. The vaccine is derived from a strain of SARS-CoV-2 isolated by ICMR-National Institute of virology. Pune- ICMR and BBIL are jointly working for the preclinical as well as clinical development of this vaccine,” the letter read.

Image Source: Neeta Sharma

The ICMR has asked a total of 12 institutes to fast track clinical trials of the vaccine as it is being considered among the highest priority projects which are being monitored by the government.

“You have been chosen as a clinical trial site of the BBV152 COVID Vaccine. In view of the public health emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic and urgency, to launch the vaccine, you are strictly advised to fast track all approvals related to the initiation of the clinical trial and ensure that the subject enrollment is initiated no later than 7, July 2020,” stated Dr Bharagava in a letter addressed to the clinical trial sites.

The ICMR in its letter to the selected institutes said that BBIL is working expeditiously to meet the target, however, the final outcome will depend on the cooperation of all clinical trial sites involved in this project.

Reportedly, the indigenous, inactivated vaccine was developed and manufactured in Bharat Biotech’s BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) High Containment facility located in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, India. Last week, Bharat Biotech had received approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct phase I and II human clinical trials.

Australia: Security guards at five-star hotel had sex with quarantined travellers, Melbourne hit with second wave of coronavirus outbreak

OpIndia Staff
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Australia: Security guards at five-star hotel had sex with quarantined travellers, Melbourne hit with second wave of coronavirus outbreak

Australia’s Victoria is currently experiencing the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak. As per reports, as many as 36 suburbs across 10 zip codes were put under lockdown after a sudden spike in coronavirus cases.

As reported by Australian media, authorities in Victoria now suspect that security guards employed to monitor quarantined foreign travellers in several hotels across Victoria were having sex with them, in blatant violation of isolation and quarantine protocols.

Victoria recorded 73 new cases on Wednesday. Most alarmingly, at least 20 of the new positive cases have no known source of transmission, leading to concerns over community transmissions. The state of Victoria has reportedly been recording over 50 new cases since the past week.

Unacceptable breaches: State government launches inquiry

As per reports, the state government in Victoria has announced a judicial inquiry into its hotel quarantine program, after the allegations of security staff fraternising with quarantined guests emerged after the recent spike in coronavirus cases.

A report in Vice stated that many of the recent cases were traced back to private contractors working in two two quarantine hotels in Melbourne, the Stamford Plaza Hotel and the Rydges on Swanston Hotel.

Daniel Andrews, the Victorian premier, announced on Thursday that the state government will allocate 3 million Australian dollars to support the inquiry, and all international returned travellers will be diverted from Melbourne for two weeks while the entire hotel quarantine system is examined and set in order.

The state ha snow recorded at least 301 cases of community transmission. The state authorities and police have acknowledged the instances of ‘breach’ involving contact between security guards and quarantined guests.

Other allegations

There are also allegations of security firms engaging in ‘ghosting’, where private contractors allegedly inflated the number of guards listed on duty to charge the government more for their services. As per reports, the state authorities had opted to hire private contractors to guard the hotels, ignoring opposition and concerns.

15 hotels in Melbourne had volunteered to be a part of the quarantine programme that was launched in March. Foreign travellers who had tested positive were moved in ambulances to the hotels, listed as ‘red’ hotels. While medical staff were also stationed at the hotels, none of the medical staff, have so far found to be coronavirus positive. Most new cases are from private security guards employed at the hotels.

Victoria premier Andrews has also suspended international flights to Melbourne following the cases of community transmission, to extend and aide contact tracing work. Jenifer Coate, a retired judge will now lead an inquiry into the ‘breach’ that led to security staff contracting infections from guests.

Hindustan Times distances itself from journalist Srishti Jaswal’s Hinduphobic tweets, suspends her from duties and orders probe

OpIndia Staff
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Hindustan Times distances itself from journalist Srishti Jaswal’s Hinduphobic tweets, suspends her from duties and orders probe

Srishti Jaswal, the Hindustan Times journalist, who was caught making Hinduphobic statements on Twitter, has been suspended from the media organisation. A code of conduct committee has been set up by the organisation to look into the blatant abuse of Hindu gods by one of its employees.

Taking to Twitter, the Hindustan Times confirmed that it has suspended the controversial Hinduphobic journalist for her vile social media posts making abusive rants against Hindu deities. The media organisation, distancing itself from her tweet, stated that it was her personal remarks.

Hindustan Times also said that Srishti Jaswal was suspended from duties with immediate effect and a code of conduct committee has been set up to look into the issue.

Image Source: HT

Hindustan Times journalist makes Hinduphobic comments

Srishti Jaswal, on June 29, had taken to Twitter to make derogatory and Hinduphobic remarks against Lord Krishna. On 29 June 2020, replying to a tweet she wrote, “Because this is what Krishna did. He was a womanizer, a fuckboi, and commitment phobic maniac. And I am a Hindu and I’ve read mythology.”

The Hinduphobic tweet made by Srishti Jaswal

Her derogatory tweet was in reference to a film “Krishna & His Leela” airing on Netflix, which has shown a man named Krishna as a womanizer who sleeps with multiple women. One of the girls he had an affair with was named Radha in the series.

Hindustan Times Journalist Srishti Jaswal faced flak on social media, leading her to not only delete her abusive tweet but also the twitter account.

Complaint registered against Hindustan Times journalist

Gautam Aggarwal, ex-IT Head of BJP IP Extension Mandal, Zila Shahdara, Delhi, had registered a complaint against Srishti Jaswal for her Hinduphobic tweet against Lord Krishna.

In the complaint, Aggarwal alleged that on 29th June 2020, Jaswal replied to a tweet against a film airing on Netflix and intentionally used derogatory and defamatory language.

Aggarwal said that as she is associated with one of the country’s biggest media houses, she can influence the lakhs of Indians and International audience with her tweets. He added, “Working with such Media platform and having such views being posted publicly can lead communal disharmony and religious animosity.”

Ahmed Patel questioned for 26 hours over 3 days, asked ‘128 questions’ in connection with Rs.14,500 crore Sterling Biotech scam

OpIndia Staff
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Ahmed Patel questioned for 26 hours over 3 days, asked ‘128 questions’ in connection with Rs.14,500 crore Sterling Biotech scam

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate at his residence for the third time in a row in connection with the ongoing money laundering probe against Gujarat-based pharmaceutical company Sterling Biotech.

According to the reports, Ahmed Patel was questioned for 26 hours over the three days in connection with the Rs 14,500 crore Sterling Biotech bank fraud case. He was questioned for over eight hours on Thursday.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ED sleuths had quizzed him for at least ten hours. On June 27, Ahmed Patel was questioned for eight and a half hours for the first time.

During the three days of questioning, Ahmed Patel was grilled for more than 26 hours during which he was asked 128 questions in connection with the money laundering case against Gujarat based Chetan Sandesara and Nitin Sandesara.

Reportedly, Ahmed Patel was confronted with the statements made by the eyewitnesses and suspects in the case. Ahmed Patel was asked about his alleged relationship with Chetan Sandesara and Nitin Sandesara and on the accusations that he was paid a large amount of cash on multiple times at his Delhi residence by the accused Sandesara brothers.

Following the interrogation, Ahmed Patel said that he had answered all the questions he was asked. He added, “They told me that my questioning is over. All the questions were based on the allegations and they do not have any direct evidence against me.”

Targeting the BJP government, Ahmed Patel further said, “It is vendetta and political harassment against me. I don’t know under whose pressure the ED officials are working.”

Ahmed Patel’s alleged connection with the Sandesara case

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel is alleged of having connections with Chetan Sandesara and Nitin Sandesara, who are the prime accused in Sterling Biotech scam, which is much larger than the Punjab National Bank scam involving Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi.

The Sandesara brothers, who are accused in the bank fraud and money laundering case, are now absconding.

The proof of Congress leader Ahmed Patel’s connection to the Sandesara case had allegedly emerged last year. The sources had said that witnesses in the case named Ahmed Patel, his son Faisal Patel and his son-in-law Irfan Siddique in the investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. The sources have said that Ahmed Patel’s house was named by the witness as the headquarters. They have also, as per sources, said that his son Faisal Patel and son-in-law Irfan Ahmed Siddique received money from Sandesara. 

In August last year, the Enforcement Directorate had summoned Faisal Patel, son of Ahmed Patel, in the Sterling Biotech money laundering case. Faisal Patel is being probed by the ED for his links with the Sandesara brothers, the owners of the pharmaceutical company.

Congress leader had skipped interrogation citing ‘coronavirus’

Earlier, the Congress leader had sent a letter to the Enforcement Directorate and had used coronavirus epidemic as an excuse to evade questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in the Rs 14,000 crore Sandesara scam.

A day before Ahmed Patel was to appear before the ED in June, the Congress leader had written to the ED and has cited the coronavirus pandemic saying, “above 65, please excuse now”. The ED had informed him in reply that they will come to his residence for questioning.

Who is Vikas Dubey, the former BSP leader wanted in 60 cases, who killed 8 police personnel last night in an ambush

OpIndia Staff
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Who is Vikas Dubey, the former BSP leader wanted in 60 cases, who killed 8 police personnel last night in an ambush

In a shocking incident, eight police personnel, including Deputy SP Devendra Mishra, were killed and six cops were injured in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur during a police raid to nab a hardened criminal and murderer Vikas Dubey’s house on July 2 late night.

According to the reports, a team of Uttar Pradesh had gone to raid an area in search of criminal Vikas Dubey in Chaubepur in Kanpur. The raid was carried out at 1 am on the intervening night of July 2-3 in Bithoor area in Chaubepur.

The police team comprising of 15-16 personnel had carried out the raid based on a complaint from Rahul Tiwari, who had lodged a case against Vikas Dubey recently on charges of attempt to murder.

As the police team reached the spot, they were ambushed by Dubey’s men who were prepared with arms on the roof of a building and continuously shot at them. Shockingly, the criminals had already stationed a JCB machine on the road to block the police team. UP police have informed that the operation is still going on and forensic teams are at the spot.

According to the police, Vikas Dubey and his men were already aware of the police raid, and were on high alert. The criminals managed to flee from the spot after killing the police personnel.

A fierce gunbattle ensued between the police and criminals during the raid leading to the death of at least 8 policemen and injuring 6 others. The deceased cops of Kanpur have been identified as DSP Devendra Kumar Mishra, SO Mahesh Yadav, Chowki Incharge Anup Kumar, Sub-Inspector Nebulal, Constables Sultan Singh, Rahul, Jitendra and Bablu.

Who is Vikas Dubey?

Vikas Dubey is a notorious criminal, who carries a reward of Rs 25,000 on his head. He is also a former member of the district panchayat and has at least 60 cases of murder, robbery against him, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Vikas Dubey was also accused in the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Santosh Shukla inside the Shivli police station in 2001. During the attack, two policemen were also killed by Vikas Dubey. However, he was later aquitted by a local court for lack of evidence.

The notorious criminal, who hails from Bikru village, keeps his own private army. As per reports, by the age of 19, he was already a wanted criminal and was accused for the murder of a minister in UP.

Vikas Dubey, a former Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, was also elected as a member of the Nagar Panchayat. The former BSP leader was also named in the murder of Siddheshwar Pandey, the principal and assistant manager of Tarachand Inter College, in 2000.

In the same year, Dubey had conspired to murder Rambabu Yadav while in jail. He is also accused of the murder of cable businessman Dinesh Dubey in the year 2004.

Again in 2018, he carried out a plan to kill his own cousin Anurag. The gangster had conspired the murder while he was lodged in Mati jail. Anurag’s wife had accused Vikas Dubey and three others of attacking her husband. 

Two men of Vikas Dubey killed, STF deployed

Meanwhile, two of Vikas Dubey’s men have been gunned down by the Uttar Pradesh police in Nivada village. The police have also taken his brother-in-law, Dinesh Tiwari, into custody for questioning.

The UP Police are now surveying mobile phone signals from 500 phones in the area to track the criminals. The border areas of Kanpur division have been sealed down and all border checkpoints have been put on high alert.

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed a Special Task Force (STF) to look into the encounter that left 8 policemen dead within hours. ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar visited the spot of the encounter in Bikaru village early morning.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has expressed his condolences to the families of the eight police personnel who lost their lives in the Kanpur encounter. The Chief Minister has also directed DGP HC Awasthi to take strict action against criminals and has also sought report of the incident.

Amidst India-China stand-off, PM Modi makes a surprise visit to Ladakh along with CDS Bipin Rawat: See pictures

OpIndia Staff
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Amidst India-China stand-off, PM Modi makes a surprise visit to Ladakh along with CDS Bipin Rawat: See pictures

In a surprising development, PM Narendra Modi has arrived in Leh along with CDS General Bipin Rawat and COAS Gen MM Naravane. As per reports, the Prime Minister arrived at Leh with the CDS at 7 am today morning.

As per reports, the PM arrived in Leh, Ladakh early today morning with Gen Bipin Rawat. PM Modi is there to meet soldiers and boost the morals of the Indian armed forces troops present there. Reports say that he is also to meet the soldiers who were injured in the violent clashes with Chinese troops.

As per reports, COAS MM Naravane is also accompanying the PM.

Photo via ANI

ANI reported that the PM is presently at a forward base of the Indian Army at Nimu, Ladakh. The PM is interacting with personnel of the Indian Army, ITBP, and Indian Air Force.

The Nimu forward base is located at 11,000 feet from sea level. This base, located amidst very difficult terrain, is surrounded by the Zanskar range and Indus River. As per reports, the Nimu base is used as a staging ground to acclimatise Indian troops for duty at Ladakh.

Nimu base, image via Meenakshi Joshi on Twitter

It is notable here that while it was speculated that COAS Naravane and CDS Bipin Rawat may visit Ladakh soon, the arrival of PM Narendra Modi is a surprise. Due to the high altitude, difficult terrain and lack of oxygen in the region with harsh atmospheric conditions, visit of national leaders in the area is rather rare.

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