India stands behind soldiers, hope Parliament sends the same message: PM Modi

The statement from the PM comes in wake of the ongoing standoff between India and China in Eastern Ladakh.

Ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the MPs will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with the soldiers who are guarding our borders.

The statement from the PM comes in wake of the ongoing standoff between India and China in Eastern Ladakh.

"This Parliament, and especially this session have another responsibility. Today, when our soldiers are holding fort on borders, on hilly and difficult terrain, and snowfall is likely after some time, I believe that all members of the Parliament will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with our soldiers," Modi said.

Earlier, PM Modi thanked all MPs for choosing the path of duty, by consenting to attend the Parliament's monsoon session, even during the coronavirus crisis. He had also urged all parliamentarians and others to follow all COVID-19 related guidelines to ensure safety.

The Monsoon session 2020 of Parliament commenced on Monday. The fourth session of 17th Lok Sabha and 252nd session of Rajya Sabha is scheduled to be held today and subject to exigencies of government business, may conclude on October 1.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, the session will provide a total of 18 sittings spread over a period of 18 days (all the days including Saturdays and Sundays of the ensuing session will be working days) and a total of 47 items have been identified for being taken up during the Monsoon Session 2020. (These include 45 Bills and two financial items).

This is the first Parliament session being held amid the COVID-19 pandemic and all safety measures have been taken to conduct the session as per guidelines issued for COVID-19.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday has sent a safety COVID-19 kit along with a letter to all the parliamentarians amid the pandemic.

The Speaker said that Lok Sabha Secretariat has made all the arrangements for members' safety and convenience to enable them to participate in the deliberations of the House without any apprehension.

Earlier today, sanitisation work was also undertaken in the Parliament premises ahead of the commencement of the session.