JOIN USAfter taking over as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s first internal security assessment trip may be to forward bases as well as at the world highest battle ground in Siachen.
Besides, Modi may also like to visit Petrapole, the customs’ check-point at Indo-Bangladesh border in North 24 Parganas District of West Bengal.
The country’s security managers are preparing a blue print for briefing Modi after he occupies 7, Race Course Road and if he agrees, the trip to both the locations could happen within a fortnight, said sources.
The objective of the official tour to Siachen, which is still in the preliminary stages, is to boost morale of forces guarding border that had taken a beating after Pakistani forces killed jawans near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir on a couple of occasion. Modi will be the first Prime Minister to visit world’s highest battle ground, if the programme gets the nod.
Official sources said that it is also aimed at sending a message to Islamabad that though the new government wants friendly relations, reflected in Modi inviting Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony, Modi would not tolerate proxy wars.
The two neighbouring countries have not violated ceasefire agreed since 2003 in this high altitude region but have failed to resolve the contentious Siachen issue despite several round of talks at the highest level.
On the other hand, the trip being planned for Petrapole-Benapole border checkpoint between India and Bangladesh near Bongaon will indicate the seriousness Modi government is going to give to the bilateral trade, apart from having security dimensions.
Modi has strong views on Bangladeshi infiltrators. At one of his campaign meetings in West Bengal, he had accused TMC state government of going soft against infiltrators from across the border and had stated that they must be deported.
Modi will be given an insight in to the country’s highly classified security infrastructure and global concerns during strategic forces command meeting slated to be held on Tuesday.
Present at the meeting in South Block will be the chiefs of intelligence agencies and armed forces where a presentation will also be made before the new prime minister.