NEW DELHI, India —Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over deaths from the coronavirus outbreak in India.

While interacting with chief state ministers on Tuesday, Modi said that any death due to COVID-19 was “tragic” and he warned people against going out without face masks.

Modi emphasized the revival of India's economic activities and said the country's response to the pandemic would serve as an example of “cooperative federalism.”

The prime minister's address was unexpectedly broadcast live and came just hours after India said at least three Indian soldiers were killed in a confrontation with Chinese troops along their disputed border in the Ladakh region. Modi made no mention of the clashes.

India’s lockdown had been considered mostly effective in staunching the spread of the virus. But as restrictions have gradually eased in recent weeks to help India’s ailing economy, cases have soared nationwide.

The Health Ministry on Tuesday reported 10,667 new coronavirus cases, taking the total tally to 343,091. It also reported 380 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 9,900.