Sending a firm message to China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the era of expansionism is over and that India's enemies have seen the "fire and fury" of its armed forces as he made a surprise visit to Ladakh in the midst of a seven-week tense border standoff between Indian and Chinese in a number of areas of the region.
A message has gone to the world about the valour shown by you braves. The way you stood up to the powers, the world wishes to know who are these braves? What is their training? What is their sacrifice? World is analysing your bravery: PM Modi - ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Ladakh and said the tour will boost the morale of "our valorous soldiers".
Indian tech and entertainment firms are looking to capitalise on sudden opportunities arising from a government ban on Chinese owned apps, including the wildly popular TikTok, with one rival video app saying it had added 22 million users in 48 hours.
Paying tributes to the 20 Army men killed in a violent face off with Chinese troops in east Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the bravery shown by the soldiers has sent a message about the strength of India.
The Indian military has been talking about a two-front war with neighbors Pakistan and China for decades to keep politicians focused on defense spending. Now that scenario is looking ever more realistic, with conflicts flaring on both its disputed borders.
Here are some of the other things that PM Modi said during his address:
** The bravery that you (soldiers) and your compatriots showed, a message has gone to the world about India’s strength
** Bharat Mata's enemies have seen your fire and fury
** Your courage is higher than the heights where you are posted today
** Whether world wars or peace, whenever the need arises, the world has seen the victory of our braves and their efforts towards peace; we have always worked for the betterment of humanity
** I once again pay my tributes to the brave soldiers martyred in Galwan Valley
** The bravery of 14 Corps will be talked about everywhere. Tales of your bravery and valour are echoing in every house in the country
**The age of expansionism is over; this is the age of development; history is witness that expansionist forces have either lost or were forced to turn back
**We are the same people who pray to a flute-playing Lord Krishna and those who idolize and follow Lord Krishna with 'sudarshana chakra'
**Those who are weak can never initiate peace; bravery is a pre-requisite for peace
**We have increased the expenditure three-fold on development of infrastructure in the border area
In the last several weeks, more than a dozen US lawmakers have spoken against the Chinese aggression against India and have come out in support of New Delhi.
Days after a violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in East Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached Leh with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat.
PM Modi lands in Leh. He is likely to meet all soldiers injured in Galwan clash and will meet the Corps Commander and senior officers of the Army and Leh administration.
The armies of India and China have been locked in a bitter standoff at multiple locations in eastern Ladakh for the last seven weeks, and the tension escalated after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash in the Galwan Valley on June 15.
Responding to reports that both countries are strengthening import regulations and suppressing each other's export goods amid the tense border situation and its impact on China’s foreign trade enterprises exports to India, Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng said that China has not taken any restrictive measures against Indian products and services.
Based on intelligence inputs, 59 Chinese mobile apps are banned in today's situation, to maintain some secrets of India and to keep the law of the land intact, Joshi said.
“We are very stern in our approach to activity seeking to compromise the data security, sending the data outside India and privacy of Indians. We will not make any compromise on the data security of our people. India knows how to conduct a digital strike,” said Prasad.
India on Friday warned China that trying to alter the status quo on the ground by resorting to force will not just damage the peace that existed on the border areas but can also have "ripples and repercussions" in the broader bilateral relationship, and demanded that Beijing stop its activities in eastern Ladakh.
Breaking its silence, Congress on Friday dismissed allegations of wrongdoings in the funds that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) received from the Chinese embassy and the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, and accused the Modi government of diverting attention from its "failures" to the "cacophony of manufactured" controversy.
Although Indian and Chinese military commanders reached a “mutual consensus to disengage” from all “friction areas,” tensions continue to rise along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Satellite images reveal that China is yet to dismantle its tents and other prefabricated and other semi-permanent structures that it has been erecting at the Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso.
The sudden muscle-flexing by China in Eastern Ladakh has taken the Indian government by surprise forcing the armed forces to put up a formidable defence on the northern border to take on any threats from the Dragon. In his distinguished career spanning over four decades, Lt Gen Deependra Singh Hooda, former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Northern Command, has seen many facets of China’s People’s Liberation Army. In an interview with DH’s Kalyan Ray, the veteran officer analyses the current crisis.
The US is reviewing its global deployment of forces to ensure it is postured appropriately to counter the People's Liberation Army, given the increasing threat posed by China to Asian countries like India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Secretary of State MikePompeosaid on Thursday.
Ten days after the Galwan Valley clash, Chinese People’s Liberation Army has pulled back some of its troops and vehicles from the conflict zone in east Ladakh but the situation remains tense at Depsang bulge, Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso areas with India sending more troops in eastern Ladakh for reinforcement.
India on Thursday alleged that China had flouted a 1993 agreement by amassing a large number of soldiers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two nations since early May.
Worries continue on the China front notwithstanding the mutually agreed disengagement plans with the People’s Liberation Army strengthening its presence in the Depsang areas, north of Galwan Valley, while continuing to maintain a highly fortified presence in the Galwan Valley and Finger areas on the banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh.
Former BJP leader and an ex-minister from Ladakh, Chering Dorjay on Wednesday warned that China will claim sovereignty over the whole Union Territory, if the government of India fails to take measures to stop neighboring country’s incursions. Read more
China and India on Wednesday agreed to "strictly abide" by the important consensus reached by their leaders and a series of agreements, further strengthen the confidence-building measures in the military field and jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas, the Chinese foreign ministry said. Read more
It was emphasised that India-China should strictly respect and observe the line of actual control: MEA (ANI)
The two sides also agreed to maintain communication both at diplomatic and military level including under the framework of Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs to resolve the existing situation peacefully: MEA (ANI)
India-China discussed in detail developments in border areas,in particular, situation in Eastern Ladakh. Indian side conveyed its concerns on recent developments in Eastern Ladakh, including on violent face off in Galwan Valley area on June 15: Ministry of External Affairs (ANI)
Indian Army Chief awards commendation cards to soldiers who fought Chinese troops in face-offs in Ladakh (ANI)
While India and China continue their diplomatic talks, the Chinese continued the build-up along LAC, including the finger area where they have strengthened themselves with more positions and constructions, according to ANI.
India and China are holding diplomatic talks through video conference on Wednesday to explore ways to ease tension along the Line of Actual Control in the Ladakh region, officials said. Read more
The Chief of Army Staff reviewed the overall security situation in the region with Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi, commander of the 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and other senior Army officials on Tuesday afternoon.
'Chinamukku' (China junction) at Konni, about ten kilometres from Pathanamthitta town wants to change its name. Konni panchayat vice president Praveen Plavilayil has given a memorandum in this regard to the panchayat.
India is pushing Russia to speed up the delivery of a missile defence system as ties with China deteriorate following the worst military clash between the Asian nations in four decades.
The request comes as China and India’s foreign ministers met on Tuesday in their first face-to-face interaction since a fight along their disputed Himalayan border killed 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops.
The Congress is behaving "very irresponsibly" and weakening the morale of soldiers by its statements at a time when the country is in the midst of a stand-off with China in Ladakh, BJP president J P Nadda said on Tuesday.
Amid the current anti-Chinese sentiment triggered by the Sino-India border tension and talks of an import substitution policy, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy V Subramanian on Tuesday said shutting the doors to other countries will not help India.
While the opposition is busy claiming that the government has somehow capitulated to China, all the facts verifiable through satellite imagery tell us quite the opposite story. What happened at Galwan on June 15 can now be extrapolated as a fairly deep incursion into the Chinese side of the LAC in order to force the demolition of a dam.
Amid call for boycott of Chinese products following martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers, a saffron outfit on Tuesday blackened the signboards at a Chinese restaurant in Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of prime minister Narendra Modi.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh will not be meeting his Chinese counterpart in Moscow, even though both ministers will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the victory day parade in the Russian capital on Wednesday.
Stung by Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Surender (Surrender) Modi jibe BJP on Tuesday reasserted that “India has not surrendered an inch of its land” during the current stand-off at the LAC and accused the Opposition party of drawing “sadistic pleasures” during times of misfortunes.
Amid the current anti-Chinese sentiment triggered by the Sino-India border tension and talks of an import substitution policy, Chief Economic Advisor Krishnamurthy V Subramanian on Tuesday said shutting the doors to other countries will not help India.
The Congress is behaving "very irresponsibly" and weakening the morale of soldiers by its statements at a time when the country is in the midst of a stand-off with China in Ladakh, BJP president J P Nadda said on Tuesday.
China will have to understand that today's India is that of 2020 and not 1962. Our soldiers are strong. India will not let China take even an inch of our land: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat (ANI)
Army Chief Gen M M Naravane on Tuesday reviewed India's military preparedness in eastern Ladakh as he began a two-day visit to the region where a border clash last week left 20 Indian soldiers dead in the midst of a tense standoff with the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Read more
PM has "destroyed our position", "betrayed our army" by accepting China's position that they occupied no Indian land: Rahul Gandhi at CWC meet. (ANI)
New Delhi-Beijing showed their commitment to peaceful resolution. They started meetings at the level of defence officers, foreign ministers & neither of the 2 sides made any statements which would indicate that any of them would pursue non-diplomatic solutions:Russian Foreign Min (ANI)
I don't think that India & China need any help from the outside. I don't think they need to be helped,especially when it comes to country issues. They can solve them on their own, it means the recent events: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at RIC foreign ministers' meeting (ANI)
The breakthrough was announced on the day when Army Chief Gen M M Naravane is due to visit Ladakh for an on-the-spot assessment of the security scenario. Accompanied by the GOC Northern Command Lt Gen Y K Joshi, the Army Chief would also meet the soldiers who put up a gallant fight with the PLA troops on the bloody Monday wherein 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a brutal hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops.
The crisis on the border, if not tackled firmly, can lead to a serious situation, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) on the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) -- the 3,500-km de-facto border with China.
India and China have agreed to take steps to cool down the situation at the border through dialogue and consultation: Chinese Foreign Ministry
Lobsang Sangay, a Fulbright Scholar and an alumnus of the Harvard Law School, was elected as head of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile (TGiE) – formally known as Central Tibetan Administration–in 2011 and re-elected in 2016. As India’s military stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh turned violent in Galwan Valley on June 15, the Sikyong (President) of the TGiE tells the DH that all democratic nations should come together to resist the Communist country’s bid to dismantle the rules-based world order. He spoke to Anirban Bhaumik of DH.
Army Chief Gen MM Naravane will visit Ladakh on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss with ground commanders the six-week standoff with Chinese military, Army sources said. The Chief of the Army Staff will visit forward locations and interact with troops on the ground, they said. (PTI)
The Corps Commander-level meeting between India and China continued for nearly 11 hours on Monday.It began at 1130 am at Moldo (Opposite to Chushul in eastern Ladakh) and continued past 10 pm. The outcome, of the marathon meeting, however, remains unknown.
“The Chinese always show love first, put on an act of gentleness and then stab the back. This has happened several times. But for the first time, 20 people have been killed by the Chinese,” Kharge told reporters.
Speaking at a webinar organised by Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Sangay, also the political successor to the Dalai Lama, said the recent incident at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh is part of China's "expansionist strategy".
The senior military leaders were also appraised of the changes in the rules of engagement with the PLA troops in which local commanders had been empowered to give a “befitting reply” to the Chinese troops, sources said.
A bandaged left arm and swelling on his face.
That's how Havildar Vishnu Nair's family members here got to see him on a video call days after he was injured in the violent clash with Chinese troops in Ladak, yet they were relieved he survived the high-altitude skirmish.
Indian smartphone makers are not too hopeful over prospects of a reversal in fortunes due to the current anti-Chinese sentiments triggered by the Sino- India border tension, insisting that low-cost funding is the need of the hour to take on foreign rivals.
A newspaper, run by the Communist Party of China, has for the first time reported that the People Liberation Army (PLA) lost “less than 20” of its soldiers in the clash with the Indian Army personnel at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on June 15.
Condemning the recent killing of 20 Indian soldiers during a face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley, Tibetan government-in-exile President Lobsang Sangay on Monday said that it is a part of China's "expansionist strategy".
China killed our soldiers. China took our land. Then, why is China 'praising Mr Modi during this conflict': Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Read more)
Army chief General MM Naravane discussed the security situation with the top Army commanders in Delhi. According to Army officials, all commanders are in Delhi for the second phase of the commanders’ conference. (ANI)
After military-level talks between India and China, both sides are planning to engage at diplomatic level talks soon. (ANI)
Army chief General MM Naravane discussing the security situation with the top Army commanders in Delhi today. All commanders are in the national capital for the second phase of the commanders’ conference: Army officials (ANI)
Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao visits family of Colonel Santosh Babu, who lost his life in action during Galwan Valley clash, in Suryapet. Rs 5 crore ex-gratia, a residential plot & Group 1 job to Colonel's wife have been given. (ANI)
Today we are fighting two wars against China - one at the border and another against the virus from China. Our 20 brave soldiers did not back down, we also will not retreat and will win both the wars, says Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
In a significant decision, the Maharashtra government has put on hold three major agreements inked with Chinese companies last week in the wake of India-China border face-off.
Even as all eyes are on Galwan Valley after the June 15 violent clash, the six-week-long stand-off between Indian and Chinese soldiers on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso continues unresolved.
The Army has been given "full freedom" in dealing with China and protecting India's territory and its men in the backdrop of the border faceoff in Ladakh, Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy said on Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s concluding remarks at the meeting created avoidable confusion and raised questions about what actually happened at the LAC.
Amid Galwan Valley situation, India-China stand-off on Pangong Tso continues. Read more
The Indian Army has changed its rules of engagement on the LAC, allowing field commanders to order troops to use firearms under “extraordinary” circumstances, say ANI sources.
Amid the ongoing border dispute with China, the three defence forces have been given financial powers upto Rs 500 crore per project for the acquisition of critical ammunition and weapons which would be required in case an all-out or limited conflict breaks out. (ANI)
Why did PM tell the all-party meeting that 'no one intruded our territory'? Why did PMO delete these words from the official statement? If 'no one intruded our territory', how did 20 soldiers die & 85 injured & how were 10 jawans & officers captured by Chinese?: Kapil Sibal, Congress (ANI)
The armed forces deployed along the 3,500-km de-facto border with China have been given "full freedom" in giving "befitting" reply to any Chinese aggressive behavior, government sources said after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with top military brass on the situation in eastern Ladakh.
CDS General Bipin Rawat & the 3 service chiefs met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today, ahead of his visit to Russia. Situation in Ladakh was reviewed in the meeting. The Defence Minister will depart tomorrow for Moscow, Russia to witness Victory Day Military Parade on June 24.
India on Saturday said that its soldiers had been patrolling the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh for a long time without any incident and that it would not accept the new “exaggerated and untenable claims” made by China.
The United states is talking to both India and China to help them resolve their ongoing border tensions, President Donald Trump said on Saturday. “It’s a very tough situation. We’re talking to India. We’re talking to China. They’ve got a big problem there,” Trump told reporters at the White House before boarding Marine 1 on his way to his first post-COVID-19 election rally in Oklahoma.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement to opposition leaders regarding the crisis in eastern Ladakh has confounded the already existing confusion. His declaration, without mentioning China, that “No one has forcibly entered into Indian territory, there is no intruder inside our border, nor has any Indian post been captured by anyone” is contradicted by commercially obtained satellite imagery featured in television news reports.
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC)-Kargil on Saturday suspended one of its members who was arrested after his “highly objectionable” audio clip mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Army in the wake of the recent face-off between India and China went viral on social media, an official said.
About 2,000 additional troops of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) may be sent to forward locations along the Sino-India border to strengthen vigil amid the standoff between the Indian Army and Chinese troops in Ladakh.
The Congress asked PM Narendra Modi to follow 'raj dharma' and rise to the challenge of protecting the territorial integrity of the country, and clarify to China that Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh "is, was and will always be" an integral part of India.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singhappealed to the Centre to change its policy to allow soldiers at the borders to open fire in their defence and for protecting the nation's territorial integrity.
CM today urged the Centre to changes its policy to allow soldiers at borders to open fire in their defence& for protecting the nation’s territorial integrity. It was absolutely wrong to send soldiers unarmed or not to allow them to defend themselves: Punjab CMO (ANI)
We expect Chinese side to sincerely follow understanding reached between foreign ministers to ensure peace, tranquillity in border areas: MEA (PTI)
The position with regard to Galwan Valley area has been historically clear. Attempts by Chinese side to now advance exaggerated & untenable claims with regard to LAC there aren't acceptable. They aren't in accordance with China’s own past position: Ministry of External Affairs (ANI)
Indian troops are fully familiar with the alignment of LAC in all sectors of India-China border areas, including in Galwan Valley. They abide by it scrupulously here, as they do elsewhere: MEA on Chinese Spokesperson's 19 June statement on the events in the Galwan Valley area (ANI)
The Indian side has never undertaken any actions across the LAC. In fact, they have been patrolling this area for a long time without any incident. All infrastructure built by the Indian side is naturally on its own side of the LAC: MEA (ANI)
History shows that whenever the country faced difficult times, our party always stood by the govts. But now Opposition is raising questions on everything and trying to damage the morale of the country and army: BJP president JP Nadda at Telangana Jan Samvad virtual rally (ANI)
We don't need clarifications, need the truth: SP leader Akhilesh Yadav on govt's clarification over PM's comments that no one entered Indian territory (PTI)
It's clearly a lame attempt to obfuscate truth, says Congress on PMO clarification on PM Modi's comments that no one entered Indian territory (PTI)
PM was clear that India would respond firmly to any attempts to transgress Line of Actual Control (LAC): PMO (PTI)
Attempts are being made to give mischievous interpretation to remarks by PM Modi at all-party meeting on LAC situation: PMO (PTI)
Mr Modi should first make up his mind and then speak, unless his attempt was to mislead all the political parties and weaken our position in diplomatic talks, saysCPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on government statement countering criticism of PM Modi's remarks at an all-party meeting.
Although there has been the previous fracas with Chinese troops along the border, the June 15 incident, which saw at least 20 Indian troops (from the Bihar Regiment) killed, plus 76 wounded and perhaps 45 casualties within the Chinese Army, represents a new upping of the ante.Where the Galwan River incident differs from previous encounters is the level of Chinese actions. First, the Chinese had appeared in large numbers in a new area which they had not previously focused on.
We must become self-reliant as much as possible but we can't decouple with the rest of the world. India must continue to part of the global supply chain andnot boycott Chinese goods. What part of Chinese trade with India is China's world trade? It's a fraction, says P Chidambaram.
At the all-party meeting, the PM said, “No outsider was inside Indian territory in Ladakh.” It is quite obvious that the PM’s statement contradicts the earlier statements made by the Army Chief, the Defence Minister andthe Foreign Minister, says Congress leader P Chidambaram.If no Chinese troops crossed LAC and are in our territory, what was ‘face-off’ on May 5-6? Between May 5 and June 6, what was the issue on which Indian commanders were talking to their Chinese counterparts? What was the subject matter of negotiations between Corps Commanders of India andChina? Chidambaram asked.
Shiv Sena deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday said the Centre must respond to China's claim that the sovereignty over the Galwan Valley area in Ladakh belonged to it. Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a colonel, were killed in the clashes with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night. It was the biggest military confrontation between India and China in over five decades. (PTI)
The Congress on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remark that neither is anyone inside India's territory nor has anyone captured its posts, with Rahul Gandhi accusing Modi of having "surrendered" Indian territory to Chinese aggression.
Country is proud of the sacrifice made by our braves in Ladakh. Today, when I am speaking to people of Bihar, I will say the valour was of Bihar Regiment, every Bihari is proud of it. I pay tributes to the braves who laid down their lives for the nation: PM Narendra Modi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday hit back at top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the India-China border situation, saying he should rise above "petty politics" and stand in solidarity with the interests of the nation.
"A brave armyman’s father speaks and he has a very clear message for Mr.Rahul Gandhi. At a time when the entire nation is united, Mr. Rahul Gandhi should also rise above petty politics and stand in solidarity with national interest," tweets Amit Shah.
Addressing a Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) at Air Force Academy (AFA) Dundigal, he said the air force is determined to deliver and will never let the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers at Galwan in Ladakh go in vain.
Sharpening its attack, Congress on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “surrendering” to China and giving it a “clean chit” by asserting that there was no intrusion by Chinese troops into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh.
For the past few months, there has been growing dissent on imported Chinese products with the public due to the skirmish between the latter's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Indian forces in the easter border near Ladhak. With the recent clash resulting deaths of 20 army men, the tension between the two Asian titans is at an all-time high since the 1962 war.
The Indian Army is a strong army and can defeat China. Rahul Gandhi, don’t indulge in politics in this. My son fought in the army and will continue fighting in the army, says father of an injured Indian soldier who fought in Galwan Valley clash.
It should be very clear that we are very prepared and suitably deployed to respond to any contingency. I assure the nation that we are determined to deliver and will never let the sacrifice the braves of Galwan Valley go in vain: IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria
Security scenario in our region mandates that our Armed Forces remain prepared andvigilant at all times. The development at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh is a small snapshot of what we are required to handle at short notice, saysIAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.
In spite of unacceptable Chinese action after agreements reached during military talks andthe resulting loss of lives, all efforts are underway to ensure that the current situation at LAC is resolved peacefully: IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria
Please join me in paying tribute to Colonel Santosh Babu andhis brave men who made the sacrifice while defending the LAC in Galwan valley. The gallant actions in a highly-challenging situation have demonstrated our resolve to protect India's sovereignty at any cost, saysIAF ChiefMarshal RKS Bhadauria.
Former diplomat and strategic affairs expert K C Singh tweeted, “PM Modi to nation: no post or land lost. Semantically true but LAC is Indian boundary claim, till which we patrol. China has some overlapping claims/patrolling. But when Chinese entrench at their claim limit & block us either PM concedes Chinese version of LAC or he misspoke.”
Chairing an all-party meeting on the violent clash in Galwan in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said, “Neither has anybody intruded into our territory, nor is anybody inside our territory, nor any of our posts have been captured,” drawing strong reactions on social media.
In a rarity, the ruling AIADMK and main opposition DMK on Friday extended their firm support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the wake of face-off with China in Ladakh.
West Bengal BJP leader Joy Banerjee on Friday urged people to shun Chinese products and warned that those who continue to do so "should be beaten up and their homes ransacked". There has been a growing clamour in the country for a boycott of China-made products since the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel during a violent face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15.
The Indian Army soldiers had withdrawn from China’s side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Galwan Valley and had even demolished its facilities, but they again returned on June 15 leading to the clash, Beijing claimed on Friday.
"But the Chinese Communist Party isn’t just a rogue actor in its own neighbourhood. If it was, we might think differently about it. It impacts us all. It lied about coronavirus and then let it spread to rest of the world while pressuring WHO to assist in a coverup campaign," Pompeo says.
The PLA has escalated border tensions-we see it today in India, the world’s most populous democracy. And we watch as it militarizes the South China Sea andillegally claims more territory there, threatening vital sea lanes, a promise they broke again, saysPompeo. He adds thatChina is pushing disinformation and malicious cyber campaigns to undermine our governments to drive a wedge between the United States and Europe, and is saddling developing nations with debt and dependency.
General Secretary Xi has greenlighted a brutal campaign of repression against Chinese Muslims, a human rights violation on a scale we have not seen since World War II: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
I think all across the world it's becoming more apparent each and every day. Chinese Communist Party decreed an end to freedom in Hong Kong, violating UN-registered treaty & rights of its citizens-one of many international treaties that the Chinese Communist Party has violated: US Secretaryof State Mike Pompeo
West Bengal BJP leader Joy Banerjee on Friday urged people to shun Chinese products and warned that those who continue to do so "should be beaten up and their homes ransacked".
The US on Friday criticised the Chinese Army for "escalating" the border tension with India and described the ruling Chinese Communist Party as a "rogue actor."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said India is one when it comes to national security and the all-party meeting has unequivocally conveyed this message.
The BCCI on Friday said it will review IPL's sponsorship deals, including the one with Chinese mobile phone company Vivo, in a meeting next week after 20 Indian soldiers were killed during a clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh.
Neither is anyone inside India's territory nor has any of its posts been captured, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Friday as he berated China for the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel in Ladakh saying its action has left the entire country hurt and angry.
Amidst rising tension along the disputed Sino-Indian border, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria spent two quiet days in Leh and Srinagar, taking stock of the force’s operational preparedness.
The attack by Chinese troops on Indian Army personnel in Ladakh was pre-planed said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday at the all-party meeting.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced a Rs five crore compensation for the family Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, besides a residential plot and a Group-1 job for his wife Santoshi.
China’s aggression along its disputed boundary with India has brought into question the policy, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has been pursuing over the past two years to mend New Delhi’s ties with the neighbouring communist country.
The key point for introspection is what we could have done to save the precious lives of our soldiers. We were expecting to be briefed on what happened between April and June 2020. That was not forthcoming at the all-Party meeting: CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechuery after all party-meet on India-China border situation
Scores of people in West Bengal’s Birbhum and Alipurduar district bid teary adieu to Army jawans Rajesh Orang and Bipul Roy on Friday.
Sources in the Trinamool Congress said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the all party meeting urged the Centre not to allow Chinese companies in sectors such as railways and aviation adding that her party stands by the country in this critical situation.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday asked the government whether there was any intelligence failure on the situation along the LAC where 20 army personnel were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops, and sought an assurance from the prime minister that status quo ante would be restored at the border and China will revert to its original position.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Friday called for a ban on TikTok to impact China economically, saying 15 crore Indians use the Chinese app due to which the neighbouring country makes crores in profit.
CPI(M) expresses its deep condolences at the death of our army officers and soldiers in the recent clash that took place along theIndo-China LAC, at the Galwan valley in Ladakh.
In the talks between our Minister for External Affairs and theForeign Minister of China, our official statement states: “At theconclusion of the discussion, it was agreed that the overall situationwould be handled in a responsible manner, and both sides wouldimplement the disengagement understanding of 6 June sincerely. Neitherside would take any action to escalate matters and instead, ensurepeace and tranquility as per bilateral agreements and protocols.”
Country and people must be united at this juncture. Government must ensure that divisive emotional passions, fake news etc must be strictly prevented.
PLA must be evacuated from occupying high ground in Galwan Valley on the Indian side. If we want PLA to evacuate from Galwan, compulsory measures are required. It would be advisable to strategize using diplomatic channels to difuse tension on the border & make China see reason - NCP president Sharad Pawar
All-party meeting should have happened much earlier. Even at this late stage we are in the dark. Congress has specific questions, Gandhi added.
ANI
Gaharwar was among 20 Indian Army personnel, who were martyred in clashes with Chinese troops inLadakh's Galwan valley.
* Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar areattending the meet along with PM Modi.
* Meet started by observing silence in respect of Indian soldiers who were killed at the border.
* Chief Ministers of Bihar, West Bengal, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Tamil Naduattending along with Sonia Gandhi, Sharad Pawar, MK Stalin, Sitaram Yechury among other attendees.
The brief statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian came a day after the Indian Army said that all Indian soldiers involved in the clashes with the Chinese army at the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night have been accounted for.
Sources said the government has set a criteria to invite only parties with five or more MPs in the Parliament for the digital meet, where the Prime Minister will brief top leaders of parties and hear their views on the way ahead, in a repeat of what it did during a similar meeting on the COVID-19 situation in April.
In a statement, Gowda said he “fully appreciated” Modi’s decision to call for a meeting of the Opposition leaders to discuss the India-China border situation.
China has not seized any Indian personnel, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a daily press briefing on Friday in response to a question about the China-India border situation: China's CGTN
The Army cortege arrived from the Panagarh military hospital, where the body of Sepoy Orang was kept for the night after a military aircraft brought it from Leh via Chandigarh on Thursday evening, an Army spokesperson said. Army personnel carried the coffin to Orang's home, where his family members broke down on seeing him returning, not on a holiday but, draped in the Tricolour.
Regarding the serious situation inGalwan Valley, right and wrong is very clear andthe responsibility entirely lies with the Indian side. India andChina are in talks to ease the situation, says Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian on calls to boycott Chinese products in India.
Prayagraj district administration officers pay last respects to Naik Deepak Kumar, a resident of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, who lost his life in Galwan Valley clash on June 15-16.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said it is now clear that the Chinese attack in Galwan valley in Ladakh was "pre-planned" and that the government was "fast asleep" while the martyred jawans paid the price. Gandhi's attack comes ahead of the all-party meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening to discuss the situation along the India-China border.
Sources attributed it to a criteria set by the government to call parties with five or more MPs only for the digital meet, when the Prime Minister will brief the top leaders of parties and hear their views on the way ahead. There are at least 27 parties in the Parliament, which have less than five members, while 17 have more than five members or more than five MPs.
- All recognised national parties
- Those with over 5 MPs in the Lok Sabha
-Leading parties from the Northeast
- Parties with Union Cabinet Ministers
In the all-party meet called by Prime Minister Modi,20 parties will attend the meet today. Home Minister, Defence Minister and BJP president JP Nadda to also be present in the virtual meet. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh personally called andinvited all leaders on behalf of PM Modi, yesterday, reports ANI.
The RJD and AAP have not been invited to the all-party meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday to discuss the situation at India-China border after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off", leaving the parties fuming.
Top RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised the government for not inviting the party to meet, asking on Twitter late Thursday night, "Just wish to know the criteria for inviting political parties for tomorrow's (Friday's) all-party meet on Galwan Valley. I mean the grounds of inclusion/exclusion. Because our party hasn't received any message so far."
Rashtriya Janata Dal is the largest party in Bihar andit has fiveMPs in the Parliament but we have not been invited to today's all-party meeting on India-China face-off. We want Rajnath Singh Ji to clarify as to why RJD hasn't been invited, saysBihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.
Expressing concern over the killing of Indian soldiers, the trust which has been charged with the construction of the temple after the historic Supreme Court verdict last year, said a new date will be decided soon.
China’s military has released 10 Indian soldiers captured on Monday during deadly clashes between troops from the two nations along their contested Himalayan border, senior Indian officials with knowledge of the matter said.
“On land, for the sake of grabbing territory, the PLA appears to have instigated the most violent clash between China and India since those nations went to war in 1962,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a major foreign policy speech on the floor of the House.
The State Department did not say if the recent India-China confrontation along the Line of Actual Control in East Laddakh appeared during the Pompeo-Yang talks in Hawaii. A day earlier, the White House had said President Donald Trump is aware of the fierce clashes between the Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh.
Armyofficers salute after laying the wreaths of flowers on the coffin of soldier Satnam Singh who was killed in a recent clash with Chinese forces in the Galwan valley area, during the cremation ceremony at Bhojraj village near Gurdaspur on June 18, 2020. Credit: AFP Photo
The mortal remains of martyred soldier Nayak Deepak Singh will reach his ancestral village in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district on Friday morning, an official said.
Singh was among 20 Indian Army personnel who were killed in a violent clash with Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh on Monday night.
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy on Thursday said China crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and there was no question that the provocation in the ongoing standoff in eastern Ladakh came from their side. Swamy said India should reclaim the land China has occupied in the standoff as most Indians want the country to fight for it.
In the days leading up to the most violent border clash between India and China in decades, China brought in pieces of machinery, cut a trail into a Himalayan mountainside and may have even dammed a river, satellite pictures suggest.
The images, shot on Tuesday, a day after soldiers engaged in hand-to-hand combat in the freezing Galwan Valley, show an increase in activity from a week earlier.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Thursday that India always desires peace but it is not afraid of giving a befitting reply to any provocation. The country has taken the incident in Galwan valley in Ladakh -- where 19 Army jawans and a colonel were killed in a clash with Chinese soldiers -- very seriously, he said here.
“The two sides are in regular touch through their respective embassies and foreign offices,” Anurag Srivastava, the spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs, said in New Delhi on Thursday. “The two sides have maintained communication at the level of the commanders at the ground level,” he said, adding: “Meetings of other established diplomatic mechanisms such as the WMCC on Border Affairs are under discussion.”
Senior diplomats of India and China are likely to hold a video-conference soon to discuss the violent face-off between the soldiers of the two nations at Galwan Valley to defuse tension, not only on the scene of the clash, but also along the disputed boundary on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh.
We extend our deepest condolences to the people of India for the lives lost as a result of the recent confrontation with China. We will remember the soldiers' families, loved ones, and communities as they grieve, says United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.
Hello readers, welcome to our coverage of India-China border tensions. On Thursday, a dialogue between Major General rank Army officers from India and China to find out a solution to the current crisis was held. It has been reported that the meeting lasted for over six hours and all the personnel who took part in the Galwan valley operations on June 15-16 are accounted for and no personnel are missing in action.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has paid tribute to Naik Deepak Kumar, Indian Army personnel who lost his life in Galwan Valley Clash. CM has announced ex gratia Rs 1 crore, a house or plot, and a government job to one member of his family: Madhya Pradesh CM's Office (ANI)
58 personnel that are at other hospitals have minor injuries, hence the optimistic timeframe of one week for their recovery: Indian Army Sources (ANI)
No one critical as of now, all are stable. 18 soldiers are at our hospital in Leh, they will be out on duty in about 15 days. 58 soldiers are at other hospitals they should be back on duty within a week. Status as of today afternoon: Indian Army Sources (ANI)
In view of the Ladakh standoff, Pakistan will try to infiltrate more terrorists and also give impetus to violence in Kashmir valley and elsewhere: Dilbag Singh, Jammu & Kashmir DGP at a meeting today to review securityscenario in the UT
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to participate in Russia-India-China (RIC) foreign ministers meeting on June 23: MEA (PTI)
Traders' body CAIT appeals to Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Virat Kohli and other celebrities to stop endorsing Chinese brands as a mark of respect for Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in Galwan valley attack (PTI)
We are strongly committed to ensuring India's sovereignty and territorial integrity: MEA on border standoff with China (PTI)
Vishwa Hindu Parishad says it will conduct door-to-door campaign across country appealing to people to boycott Chinese goods and mobile phones to break "dragon's backbone" (PTI)
We expect China to confine its activities to its side of the border: MEA on eastern Ladakh standoff (PTI)
Major General-level talks between India and China are over after more than six hours. All the personnel who took part in the Galwan valley operations on June 15-16 are accounted for and no personnel are missing in action: Sources (ANI)
They always rake up bilateral issues in multilateral forum, in fact they have made it almost a standard norm for their policy. Our foreign policy has a much broader canvas, we have a much wider and global focus:Vikas Swarup, Secretary (West), MEA (ANI)
China has repeatedly said that the incident happened because the Indian front-line troops blatantly broke the consensus reached by the military chiefs of both sides: Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson on Galwan Valley Clash (ANI)
It is clarified that there are no Indian troops missing in action: Indian Army Sources (ANI)
Ladakh face-off: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to attend all-party meet convened by PM Narendra Modi on Friday: TMC sources.
There are a lot of activities happening in Galwan Valley these days. The area belongs to us for the last over 200 years... War is not a solution & the issue should be resolved through talks, says Amin Galwan, grandson of Ghulam Rasool Galwan after whose name Galwan valley was named
I pay tributes to 20 soldiers who attained martyrdom guarding our borders. People of Ladakh stand shoulder to shoulder with Indian Army. We hope that our Army will thwart Chinese conspiracy along the border, says Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Chairperson Gyal P Wangyal
A failure on the part of the Indian establishment to understand the Chinese mind has ultimately led to a tragic turn of events, wherein the Indian Army (IA) has lost at least twenty soldiers including a battalion commander to perfidy by the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force (PLAGF).
India must not misjudge the current situation or underestimate China's firm will to safeguard its territorial sovereignty, adds the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson
Indian front-line troops broke the consensus and crossed the Line of Actual Control, deliberately provoking and attacking Chinese officers and soldiers, thus triggering fierce physical conflicts and causing casualties, says Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
PM has made it clear that every inch of our territory will be protected. We'll also take steps in other area as well. At one level, it'll be to strongly guard our borders & to honour the sentiments of Indians who want economic measures to be taken at another level, says Ram Madhav, General Secretary, BJP
Former President Pranab Mukherjee has said that the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops at the Galwan Valley is of “grave concern” for national strategic interest. He warned that it will also have far-reaching global geopolitical ramifications.
Havildar K Palani, one of the 20 Indian soldiers killed in violent clash with Chinese troops in Ladakh, laid to rest at his native village in Tamil Nadu with full military honours.
Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ishfaq meets family of Indian Army's Naib Subedar Satnam Singh who lost his life fighting back the Chinese troops in Galwan Valley. DC Gurdaspur says, "A gate will be constructed on his name here".
Thousands of locals lined along the roads showering flower petals on the military truck carrying Col Babu's body
Supreme sacrifice of our brave soldiers while guarding our motherland in Galwan valley will always be remembered. Nation is indebted to them. I pay homage to martyrs. BJP has decided to postpone all its political programs including virtual rallies for next 2 days, says BJP President JP Nadda
"So the President is aware of it. We're monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. So we've seen that the Indian Army statement that 20 Indian soldiers died as a result of the confrontation today, and we extend our deepest condolences on that." said White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany
Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik said that China’s attack on Indian Army soldiers at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was pre-planned.
The military stand-off along India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, particularly the violent clash in Galwan Valley, will make the negotiations between the two nations to resolve the boundary dispute all the more strenuous.
A dialogue between Major General rank Army officers from India and China to find out a solution to the current crisis ended in a stalemate on Wednesday.
China's claim over Galwan Valley untenable, saysMinistry of External Affairs.
Making exaggerated claims contrary to understanding reached between two sides, says MEA on China's claim.
Talks between Major Generals of India and China in Galwan Valley are over. The talks have remained inconclusive as no immediate disengagement or change in ground has taken place. More talks to take place in the coming days: Sources (ANI)
Four Army personnel who were critically injured after the violent face-off with Chinese troops are stable now: Army Sources (ANI)
Colonel Santosh Babu's body reaches Hakimpet airforce station near Hyderabad. Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundarrajan, army officials pay tributes. Body being taken to Suryapet, 140 KMs away from Hyderabad towards Vijayawada, for cremation tomorrow morning with full state honours.
I bow to the exemplary courage and supreme sacrifice of our soldiers to protect country's sovereignty and integrity: President Kovind (PTI)
We note India’s efforts to de-escalate at border&wish to convey deepest condolences to families of Indian soldiers who lost their lives. As a father of a serving military officer,I value sacrifice that soldiers make in defence of countries: Australian High Commissioner to India (ANI)
Ladakh face-off: We stand by country in this hour of crisis; support Centre's decision to call all-party meet: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (PTI)
EAM S Jaishankar underlined that this unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship. The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps: MEA (ANI)
In conclusion, it was agreed that overall situation would be handled in responsible manner & both sides would implement disengagement understanding ofJune 6sincerely. Neither side would take any action to escalate matters & ensure peace as per bilateral agreements & protocols: MEA (ANI)
EAM S Jaishankar underlined that this unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship. The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps: MEA (ANI)
Wang Yi-S Jaishankar talks: Strong message conveyed by Indian Foreign Minister to China, “What happened in Galwan was premeditated and planned action by China which was responsible for the sequence of events.” (ANI)
Ladakh face-off: CM Mamata Banerjee announces Rs 5 lakh compensation, govt job for kin of 2 soldiers from West Bengal who died (PTI)
In light of recent worrying developments along LAC between India & China, we encourage both sides to show restraint & to engage in military de-escalation, as well as to continue the dialogue: Virginie Battu-Henriksson, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (ANI)
China, India agree to resolve border clash in a fair way, de-escalate as soon as possible, reports Reuters quoting China foreign ministry
The pain of losing our brave soldiers while protecting our motherland at Ladakh’s Galwan can not be put in words. Nation salutes our immortal heroes who sacrificed their lives to keep Indian territory safe and secure. Their bravery reflects India’s commitment towards her land. I bow to the families, who have blessed Indian Army with such great heroes. India will always remain indebted for their supreme sacrifice. Entire nation and Modi government stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured: Home Minister Amit Shah
Are our soldiers/officers still missing? How many of our soldiers/officers are critically injured? What areas have been occupied by China? What is the policy of govt to deal with this? Congress stands with our Army, soldiers, their families and govt in this crisis: Sonia Gandhi (ANI)
Today when there's anger in the country regarding this incident then PM should come forward & tell the truth to the country that how did China occupy our land and why did our 20 soldiers lose their lives? What is the situtaion there today?: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi (ANI)
The sacrifice of our 20 jawans has shaken the conscience of the nation. I pay my tribute to all those brave soldiers from the core of my heart & pray to the Almighty to give their families the strength to face this pain: Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi (ANI)
We have tried that differences do not become disputes: PM Modi on Ladakh face-off (PTI)
I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our jawans will not be in vain. For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country is the most important. India wants peace but it is capable to give a befitting reply if instigated: PM Narendra Modi (ANI)
Senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Wednesday demanded a befitting reply to China's aggression and said the people of India stood with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Raut, a Rajya Sabha member and executive editor of Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' tweeted, "Prime Minister, you are brave and a warrior...Under your leadership, the country will take revenge against China."
China on Wednesday claimed that the sovereignty of the Galwan Valley area in Ladakh "always belonged to it," a day after the armies of the two countries were engaged in a violent face-off.
The External Affairs Ministry on Tuesday said the violent confrontation between armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh was the result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo in the region.
Six to seven Army veterans had gathered near the Chinese Embassy today to protest under the banner of Martyr's Welfare Association. They were requested to disperse from the spot andleft immediately, says Delhi Police.
In order to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for an all-party meeting at 5 pm on June 19. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting, says Prime Minister's Office.
China is "throwing punches" and provoking its neighbours at a time when everyone expected that it would renounce confrontation and focus on the country's economy, a top former US diplomat on Asian affairs has said in the wake of escalating border tensions between India and China.
The June 15night's incident at the Galwan river valley reflects the failure of confidence-building measures that we have in place between India and China. These were evolved in 1993, 1996 and2013 agreements, Srikanth Kondapalli, Expert on Chinese Affairs said.
Oldest of three siblings, Rajesh Orang, joined the Army in 2015 but the soldier died of injuries suffered in hand-to-hand combat with the Chinese army at Galwan Valley in Ladakh region, his father Subhas was informed.
"My son served the country and gave his life for it," was all Subhas could say on Wednesday morning as he grieved his son's death.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday morning held a high-profile meeting with Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat and chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force on the situation along the India-China border, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the issue with his top ministers.
De-escalating the tension along the LAC appeared to be the top agenda to ensure that no further trouble is fomented.
At least 35 dead and injured on Chinese side during a clash in Galwan Valley, reports PTI quoting US intelligence reports.
Clearly, these are concerning reports. We encourage China and India to engage in dialogue on issues relating to the border – violence is in no-one’s interest, says a British High Commission spokesperson.
The assessment is based on the number of Chinese soldiers evacuated from the face-off location on stretchers and subsequently by ambulance vehicles on the track along the Galwanriver, as also the increased Chinese helicopter movement, reports ANI quoting sources. It further says, the troops who were part of the face-off told about a significant number of Chinese casualties. Although it is difficult to specify the exact number of Chinese casualties, both killed and wounded, the number is estimated to be much beyond 40.
It is assessed that the Chinese suffered a significant number of casualties in the violent face off on the night of June 15-16, reports ANI quoting sources.
Stepping up attack against the PM Modi-led government,Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of going into hiding over the clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh.
“Why is the PM silent? Why is he hiding? Enough is enough. We need to know what happened,” the former Congress President said.
Read more
The ongoing border standoff between India and China has claimed the lives of Indian soldiers for the first time since 1975. The standoff began on the northern bank of Pangong Tso (lake) in eastern Ladakh on May 5. Chinese soldiers built a bunker, denying Indian soldiers access to an area they regularly patrolled earlier. China then accused of India trespassing on its territory in the Galwan Valley, a little north up, and building “defence facilities”. While both the sides decided to move away from Galwan Valley, the disengagement process took a fatal turn on June 15, killing an Indian army colonel and two soldiers. What explains these violent skirmishes amid the pandemic?
In the first event of bloodshed along the LAC in 45 years, a violent clash took place between the Indian, Chinese armies on Tuesday. Tensions between India and China over the LAC escalated after 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Casualties were also reported on the Chinese side. The troops disengaged after day-long talks between the Major Generals of two countries.
The stand-off between the two nations at the borders has been in news for quite some time, but the recent clash has intensified it further. Here are 10 things you should know about the India-China standoff in Galwan Valley:
1. Army sources said there was no firing during the entire incident, suggesting that the casualties happened as a result of hand to hand combat.
Chinese People Liberation Army has provoked the "Indian nationalist tiger" by engaging in a face-off with Indian Army personnel in which 20 soldiers were killed, reports ANI quoting US media.
The United States is closely monitoring the situation following a fierce clash between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh and hopes that the differences will be resolved peacefully, officials said here.
"Our army officers and jawans have lost their lives while protecting our Nation from Chinese incursions in the Galwan Valley, Ladakh. May they Rest in Peace. Our armed forces will protect our borders with courage and determination. Heartfelt Condolences," NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar said in a Twitter post.
India on Tuesday blamed China for the violent face-off in Galwan Valley, saying the incident happened because the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) made an attempt to depart from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the area.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement countering Beijing’s attempt to lay the blame on India. It said that while New Delhi remained convinced on the need to resolve differences through dialogue, it was also “strongly committed to ensuring sovereignty and territorial integrity” of India.
China’s renewed interest in taking back the control of the Galwan Valley from India apparently has its origin in its recalibrated strategic plan to secure its National Highway 219, which runs through the disputed Aksai Chin region and links its two trouble-spots – Xinjiang and Tibet.
The Galwan Valley has been unaffected by the occasional flashpoints along the disputed India-China boundary for several decades, after a post of the Indian Army in the area was overrun by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in November 1962.
India on Tuesday said the violent face-off between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh was the result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs said both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had the agreement arrived at earlier at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.
Army sources say there was no firing during the entire incident, suggesting that the casualties happened as a result of hand to hand combat.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the current operational situation in Eastern Ladakh, consequent to Monday's violent faceoff on the LAC, along with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and the three Service Chiefs.A second high-level meeting took place in the evening at the Prime Minister's Office to take stock of the situation.
The United States is closely monitoring the situation following a fierce clash between Indian and Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh and hopes that the differences will be resolved peacefully, reports PTI quoting officials.
"We are closely monitoring the situation betweenIndianand Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control," a State Department spokesperson said.
The loss of lives on the Indian side includes Col B Santosh Babu of 16 Bihar Regiment and two of his men (Hav Palni from 16 Bihar and Sepoy Kundan Ojha from an Artillery regiment).Though the details of the casualties from the Chinese side is not available officially, unconfirmed reports indicate a casualty figure of five among the PLA troops. ANI claims 43 Chinese casualties quoting military intercepts shared by the government.
The violence occurs after nearly six weeks ofstand-off between Indian and People's Liberation Army troops at multiple sites in Eastern Ladakh. The two sides discussed a resolution formula on June 6 following which the disengagement process started in the Galwan valley.
In the first event of bloodshed on the LAC in 45 years, as many as 20 Indian soldiers including the Commanding Officer of an infantry battalion of Indian Army were martyred on Monday night in a "violent face-off" with the PLA troops disrupting the fragile peace prevailing along India's disputed border with China.Army officials said Indian and Chinese troops had clashed on the night of June 15/16 leading to casualties on both sides. Stay tuned for live updates.
"IPS Association salutes the Indian Army brave hearts, who were martyred while protecting our borders.May their souls rest in peace. Our deepest condolences are with the bereaved families," saidIPS Association.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said she was "deeply anguished and pained" over the killing of Indian Army personnel in a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.
Moscow has engaged in backchannel talks with both New Delhi and Beijing to help end the stand-off along the disputed India-China boundary, even as the violent face-off in Galwan Valley escalated tension between the two neighbouring nations.
UN chief Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over reports of violence and deaths at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China and urged both sides to exercise "maximum restraint," his spokesperson said on Tuesday.
India on Tuesday blamed China for the violent face-off in Galwan Valley, saying the incident happened because the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) made an attempt to depart from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the area.
Babu is the only son of a retired bank manager Upendar Bikkumalla. “As a mother, I am grieving but at the same time am also very proud that my only son has sacrificed his life for the nation,” said Manjula, Babu’s mother.
Increase in Chinese chopper activity observed across the LAC to airlift casualties suffered by them during face-off with Indian troops in Galwan valley: Sources to ANI
At least 10 Indian Army personnel killed in violent face-off in Ladakh's Galwan Valley: government sources (PTI)
Unless both sides resort to non-violence and dialogue, perpetual peace might be a problem and Tibet is the reason why this tension is happening: Lobsang Sangay, President, Central Tibetan Administration on India-China face off in Galwan Valley. (ANI)
India on Tuesday said the violent face-off between the armies of India and China in eastern Ladakh was the result of an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo in the region. Read more
Shiv Sena deputy leader Priyanka Chaturvedi demands "clarity" from Union government on stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh (PTI)
China's Vice Foreign Minister, Luo Zhaohui and Indian Ambassador to China, Vikram Misri meet in Beijing: Sources (ANI)
Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side: Ministry of External Affairs (ANI)
We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity: MEA (ANI)
On late-evening & night of June 15,a violent face-off happened as a result of an attempt by Chinese side to unilaterally change status quo there. Both sides suffered casualties that could have been avoided had agreement at higher level been scrupulously followed by Chinese side:MEA (ANI)
I can assure you that under the leadership of PM Modi, India’s territorial integrity will not be compromised. We now have the political will and our Army is fully equipped to take on any adversary. Nobody can cast any ill eye on Modi's India: BJP President JP Nadda (ANI)
Borders of India will remain intact&are intact under leadership of PM. During de-escalation process that was underway in Galwan Valley in Ladakh,violent face-off took place with Chinese Army.Indian Army gave befitting reply.Unfortunately,we lost our 3 army men: BJP Pres JP Nadda (ANI)
Colonel Santosh Babu, Commanding Officer of the 16 Bihar regiment lost his life in the violent face-off with Chinese soldiers in Galwan valley area near Patrolling Point 14: Indian Army Sources (ANI)
Time for Centre to take some stringent measures, each sign of weakness on our part makes Chinese reaction more belligerent: Punjab CM Amarinder Singh (PTI)
It is unfortunate that during the de-escalation process on the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, a clash has taken place at Galwan valley.Government should come out with an authoritative statement as to what actually happened.Imperative that both the Governments immediately initiate high level talks to defuse the situation and advance the process of disengagement on the basis of the agreed understanding on maintaining peace and tranquility on the border.
Death of Army officer, 2 soldiers in violent face-off with Chinese troops shocking and unacceptable: Congress (PTI)
Matter of serious national concern as it has grave implications for national security. Govt should immediately convene meeting to brief political parties about ground situation: Congress. (PTI)
Why did our soldiers lose their lives during de-escalation process? PM, defence minister should offer clearer picture to nation on Ladakh Border issue with China: Former PM H D Deve Gowda. (PTI)
China has lodged solemn representations & protests to India. Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines: Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson (ANI)
Army amends statement, says "casualties suffered on both sides" in "violent face-off" during de-escalation process with China in Galwan Valley, Ladakh. (ANI)