New Delhi: Indian soldiers have given befitting reply to those who challenged the country's sovereignty "from LoC to LAC", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday, in a subtle message to Pakistan and China.

In his seventh straight Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort, the prime minister said the country is fighting terrorism as well as expansionism with determination.

Asserting that the respect for India's sovereignty is supreme and that the world has seen in Ladakh what India's brave jawans can do to maintain this resolve, Modi said,"I salute all those brave soldiers from the Red Fort."

"From LoC to LAC, anyone who casts an eye on the sovereignty of the country, the armed forces of the country have responded in the language they understand," Modi said, adding the whole country is united in protecting the sovereignty of the country.

The prime minister's comments came in the midst of India's festering border row with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and rising incidents of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.

Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash with Chinese armies in Galwan Valley. The Chinese side also suffered casualties but it is yet to give out the details.

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Bengaluru: Bamul President D.K. Suresh on Wednesday said there was nothing unusual about his recent visits to Delhi and dismissed speculation about any “good news” linked to the occasion.

Speaking to reporters at the Bengaluru Milk Union Limited (Bamul) office, Suresh said, “I am not aware of any ‘good news’. There is always some good news or the other. Sometimes we travel for party work, sometimes for personal reasons, and at times for government-related matters. There is nothing special about it.”

Responding to a question on whether there would be any announcement on the occasion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s birthday, Suresh said Shivakumar had already appealed to supporters not to put up flex boards or banners.

“He has asked people not to put up flex or banners due to environmental concerns. Everyone should follow this,” he said.

On being asked about discussions on power-sharing within the party, Suresh said it was not the time for such talks and that the matter had been left to the party high command.

“We have said we will abide by whatever the high command decides,” he said.

Replying to a question on pressure from legislators, Suresh acknowledged that there was demand for ministerial posts.

“There is pressure to become ministers,” he said.

On his recent visit to Delhi along with D.K. Shivakumar, Suresh said such trips were frequent.

“We travel to Delhi regularly. If it was a rare visit, you could ask. We go at least twice a month,” he said.