Soldiers slain in battle “attain heavenly worlds” or in victory, “enjoy the earth”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in the visitors book after paying homage on Saturday at the Indian Memorial at Neuve Chapelle commemorating Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the Western Front during World War I.

“Hato va Prapsyasi Swargam, Jitva va Bhokshse Mahim,” he wrote, and added the translation (“Either being slain you will attain the heavenly worlds/Or by gaining victory you will enjoy the Earth”.

Modi wrote he was “honoured to pay homage to the Indian soldiers here at the Indian Memorial at Neuve Chapelle.”

“Our soldiers who fought in foreign lands in the Great War, have won the admiration of the world for dedication, loyalty, courage and sacrifice. I salute them.”

The Indian prime minister thanked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the “excellent care and maintenance” of the monument and the French government for “conduct of this solemn ceremony”.

External affairs ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin tweeted that Modi had gifted a replica of Garhwal WWI Memorial during the visit as well as the ministry’s official publication on India and World War I to the memorial.

The memorial on the outskirts of Neuve Chapelle in the department of Pas de Calais in northern France commemorates over 4,700 Indian soldiers and labourers who lost their lives on the Western Front during World War I and have no known graves.