PM Modi spends time with soldiers at Siachen, says happy to be with them on Diwali

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday visited Siachen to spend some time with soldiers on Diwali and convey the message there that every Indian stands shoulder-to- shoulder with them.

He went to Siachen before travelling to Srinagar to spend time with the flood-affected people on the festival of lights. "Friends, I am leaving for Siachen Glacier. It's my good fortune that I will be able to spend time with our brave soldiers on this special day," Modi tweeted, before embarking on the visit.

"Am going to Siachen with a message from each and every Indian to our soldiers- that we stand shoulder to shoulder with you," he said.

Praising the country's sentinels, Modi said, "Be it the altitude or bitter cold, nothing deters our soldiers. They stand there, serving our Nation. They make us truly proud." After his brief visit to Siachen, Modi will travel to Srinagar to meet the flood victims.

"After the Siachen visit I will continue with my scheduled visit to Srinagar to spend time with those affected due to the recent floods," Modi said on the micro-blogging site.

He further said, "Everyone is aware of the extreme conditions at Siachen. Overcoming every challenge our soldiers stand firm, protecting our Motherland."

The PM is likely to meet delegations from various sections of the society at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar, sources said. The visit will come in the backdrop of an inter-ministerial team, comprising representatives from various ministries, already camping in the state to assess the damage caused by the floods. The delegation includes officials from the ministries of home, finance, agriculture and rural development.

The delegation has already met the state government officials. They have also interacted with affected people in a bid to gather data on the extent of damage caused to dwellings, crops, livestock, roads, bridges, embankments and other government properties. While the Centre has announced Rs 1,000 crore, CM Omar Abdullah had sought a special package of Rs 44,000 crores.