NEW DELHI, Aug 14 - President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday said while India believes in peace it is also capable of giving a befitting response to any attempt of aggression as shown by its troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh after �some in our neighbourhood�, a veiled reference to China, tried to carry out their �misadventure of expansion�.
In his address to the nation on the eve of the 74th Independence Day, Kovind also spoke about the �Aatmanirbhar� initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and allayed fears of foreign investors saying India�s self-reliance means being self-sufficient without alienating or creating distance from the world, with which it would continue to engage.
Touching upon the COVID-19 pandemic, Kovind said the nation is indebted to doctors, nurses and other health workers who have been continuously on the forefront of the fight against the disease which has disrupted all activities world over and taken a huge toll.
He also complimented the Modi government, noting it is very reassuring to note that the Centre while anticipating the tremendous challenge responded effectively and well in time.
�For a country so vast and diverse with high population density, meeting this challenge requires super-human efforts,� he said.
Without taking China�s name, the President said �while the world community needs to fight together against the greatest challenge (COVID-19) before humanity, some in our neighbourhood tried to carry out their misadventure of expansion.�
He saluted the brave soldiers who laid down their lives defending the country�s borders. �Those worthy sons of �Bharat Mata� lived and died for national pride. The entire nation salutes the martyrs of Galwan Valley. Every Indian feels grateful to their family members,� he said. � PTI
