President Kovind visits Siachen, hails fighters at highest battlefield

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday visited the Army base camp located at an altitude of 18,875 feet in Siachen in Ladakh, first time by a President in 14 years.

“Every Indian is grateful to the army men [here] and stands by them. Their bravery and valour has given every Indian the confidence that the borders are safe and secure,” Mr. Kovind told the soldiers, who are manning the highest battlefield of the world.

The President, who addressed the troops at the Siachen Base camp, praised the efforts of the soldiers deployed in harsh climatic conditions and assured them that “their interests are paramount in the heart of the nation,” said an official spokesman.

Mr. Kovind, also supreme commander of the armed forces, was accompanied by Army chief General Bipin Rawat and GOC-in- C, Northern Command, Lt. Gen. D. Anbu.

Earlier in the day, the President undertook an aerial survey of the glacier.