A signal has been given to China that India would not compromise with its sovereignty and integrity and that the Galwan Valley incident was a clear indication in this regard

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort to mark the 74th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Indian soldiers have given a fitting reply to anyone who has challenged the sovereignty of the country.

“From LoC (Line of Control) to LAC (Line of Actual Control), whenever India's sovereignty has been challenged, our soldiers have answered them in their own language,” the Prime Minister said, sending a strong message to Pakistan and China without taking their names.

Talking about the violent scuffle between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June 15, he said, “India's integrity is supreme for us. What our jawans can do, what the country can do, the world saw that in Ladakh. Today, I salute all those brave soldiers from the Red Fort.”

Prime Minister Modi’s words were seen as a strong warning to China. This has come when both sides are seeking for another round of diplomatic talks, as five rounds of military and diplomatic level talks between India and China have failed to yield any results.

Whether it is terrorism or expansionism, India is fighting both, Prime Minister Modi 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 Prime Minister said.

He also called “Atmanirbhar Bharat” as the mantra of everyone. He exhorted all Indians to be ‘vocal for local’. “We should appreciate our local products, if we don’t do this then our products will not get the opportunity to do better and will not get encouraged,” Prime Minister Modi said.

He also announced the launch of the National Digital Health Mission under which every Indian will get a unique health identity card.