Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Pakistan on Tuesday of waging "proxy war" by sending militants to attack India and he used a trip to the occupied Kashmir to stress that reconciliation between the neighbours needs peace. Making his second visit since his election triumph in May to the northern region Modi vowed to strengthen India's armed forces.
"The neighbouring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism," Modi told officers and men from the army and air force. Modi has made it clear that bilateral dialogue depends on the guns falling silent.
Modi, whose speech to troops in Leh was televised, did not give any details of Pakistan's "proxy war". Pakistan says it only gives political support to the Muslim people of Kashmir who it says face human rights abuses at the hands of Indian troops. India denies that. In a second speaking stop, Modi went to Kargil. "The patriotism of the people of Kargil inspires the people of India. I bow to this land and to the people," Modi said, paying homage to his political mentor Atal Bihari Vajpayee who was premier during the Kargil conflict.