Fighting both ‘terrorism’ and ‘expansionism’

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a new warning to China and Pakistan over border tensions yesterday, using his most important speech of the year to promise to build a stronger military.

In his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi on the occasion of 74th Independence Day, he said that "from LoC (Line of Control with Pakistan)) to LAC (Line of Actual Control with China), whenever India has been challenged, our soldiers have given a fitting response in a language they understand."

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Referring to the clash with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15 when 20 Indian soldiers were killed, Modi said "the world has seen in Ladakh what our jawans can do, what the country can do. Today, I salute all those brave soldiers from the Red Fort."

"Whether it is terrorism or expansionism, India is fighting both," the Prime Minister said without naming either Pakistan or China, reported our New Delhi correspondent.

He said "today the world stands with India and to get 184 votes out of 192 nations in the UN for a (non-permanent) seat at the UN Security Council is proof."

The PM said neighbours were not only those that India shared a border with.

"Today, neighbours are not only those with whom we share our geographical boundaries but also those with whom we share emotions and values. Today, India has close relations in the greater neighbourhood. We are working together and have a lot of mutual respect for each other," Modi added.

He also said efforts have been taken to make India "self-reliant" in defence production.

Meanwhile, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli yesterday spoke to Modi for the first time since a diplomatic spat over a map and a disputed area of territory erupted earlier this year between the South Asian neighbours.