The Defence Minister was addressing an event on the second day of his visit to the region. Indian armed forces capable of giving befitting reply to every challenge: Rajnath Singh in Ladakh

New Delhi: In a clear message to China from eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said India would never forget the sacrifice of the 'Galwan bravehearts' and asserted that the country's armed forces are capable of giving a befitting reply to every challenge.

Addressing an event on the second day of his visit to the region, Singh said efforts should be made to find solutions to issues through dialogue with neighbouring countries but at the same time noted that India would not tolerate it if someone tried to threaten it.

"India will never forget sacrifice of soldiers who laid down their lives in Galwan Valley for the country," Singh said adding that the Indian Army had the capability to give a befitting reply to every challenge.

Twenty Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in clashes with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley on June 15 last year that marked the most serious military conflicts between the two sides in decades.

In February, China officially acknowledged that five Chinese military officers and soldiers were killed in the clashes with the Indian Army though it is widely believed that the death toll was higher.

The defence minister also inaugurated 63 infrastructure projects implemented by the Border Roads Organisation in Ladakh.

Singh's three-day visit to the region came amid a deadlock in the next stage of disengagement with China at several friction points.