Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarks on a visit to Siachen today. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold talks with armed personnel posted in the strategically crucial region.
The Defence Minister had recently celebrated Holi with the armed forces at Leh Military station on March 24.
Significantly, the Defence Minister’s visit to Siachen comes a week after the Indian Army marked the 40th year of its presence on the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier. Known for its extreme climatic conditions, the 75 km long, 2 to 4 km wide Siachen glacier is of extreme geo-strategic importance to India.
Earlier, he was scheduled to celebrate the occasion with troops in Siachen, but due to ‘inclement weather’, the programme was changed to Leh.
He spoke to the Commanding Officer deployed at Siachen on the phone and promised to visit them as soon as possible and is making the visit to fulfill his promise, according to sources.
During his visit, Rajnath Singh will also lay wreath at the Martyr’s Memorial.
Meanwhile, the Defence Minister carried out a whirlwind campaign during the first phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. He held 26 public meetings and three road shows across 12 states.
Also read: Candidates Chess : India’s Gukesh sets history as the youngest to win
