PM Modi's Siachen visit will raise morale of troops, says defence expert

Defence expert Lieutenant General (retd.) Raj Kadyan on Thursday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Siachen glacier to visit the troops stationed there would raise the morale of the soldiers.

"I think it is an excellent gesture on the part of the Prime Minister and it is sure to motivate the troops and raise their morale," Lieutenant General (retd.) Kadyan told ANI.

"In India we don't have a military culture, that is, not many civilians understand what the culture is. When soldiers get deployed to such isolated places, where it is very difficult to survive, they sometimes do get the feeling that the country has forgotten them. Thus such gestures are a great morale booster and I am glad the Prime Minister has done it," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi extended the nation Diwali greetings from Siachen, the world highest battleground, as he interacted with the troops stationed here.

"From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier and with the brave Jawans and Officers of the Armed Forces, I wish all of you a Happy Diwali," he tweeted.