In this Sept. 14, 2017, photo, Indian army trucks drive near Pangong Tso lake near the India China border in I…Read More
NEW DELHI: A day after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in clashes with Chinese troops in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, intense diplomatic and political activities hogged the headlines in the country. Political leaders from across the spectrum unanimously stood behind the country’s armed forces. Meanwhile, senior officials and external affairs ministers of both the countries held talks to de-escalate tensions along the Line of Actual Control.
Here is a look at the latest developments from the day —
The sacrifice of our jawans will not be in vain: PM Modi
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 are the most important…India wants peace but it is capable to give a befitting reply if instigated,” PM Narendra Modi said. “India wants peace but when instigated, India is capable of giving a befitting reply, be it any kind of situation,” he added.
PM Narendra Modi will hold all-party meet on June 19 and will address the nation on June 21
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. He will also address the nation on June 21. Further details are awaited.
Major General-level talks being held between India-China in Galwan
Major General-level talks are being held between India and China in the Galwan valley to further defuse the situation after the violent face-off between the troops on June 15-16, according to Army sources.
Four critically injured Army personnel stable
Four Army personnel who were critically injured after the violent face-off with Chinese troops are stable now, according to Army Sources.
Galwan clash: Army, Navy, Air Force raise alert level
Front-line bases of the Indian Army and the Air Force along the nearly 3,500 km de-facto border with China were on Wednesday put on high alert in view of a major clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh that left 20 Army personnel dead, official sources said.
The Indian Navy has also been asked to raise its alert level in the Indian Ocean Region where the Chinese Navy has been making regular forays.
‘Unprecedented’ development will have a ‘serious impact’ on the bilateral relationship: MEA
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. Two sides should scrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding reached by Senior Commanders on June 6. Troops of both sides should also abide by bilateral agreements and protocols. In conclusion, it was agreed that the overall situation would be handled responsibly and both sides would implement disengagement understanding of June 6 sincerely.
Whole country with you, answer people’s questions on China face-off: Opposition to PM
The death of 20 Indian soldiers along the LAC in Ladakh on Wednesday saw the opposition asking the Prime Minister to explain how the Chinese occupied Indian territory, even as the government contended that the sacrifice of soldiers would not go in vain.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward and tell why 20 soldiers were killed, while Rahul Gandhi asked him to come out of “hiding” and share the truth of the India-China face-off, saying the entire country was standing behind him.
China suffered 35 casualties during Galwan clash: US intel
The Chinese army suffered 35 casualties during the violent clash with the Indian military in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley, official sources said on Wednesday quoting US intelligence reports. The figure could be a combination of the total number of soldiers killed and seriously wounded.
Sovereignty of Galwan area belongs to us: China
Zhao Lijian, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that the sovereignty of the Galwan valley area “has always belonged to China” and that the Indian border troops “flip-flopped and seriously violated” China’s border protocols as well as the consensus of commander level talks. Lijian said that China is asking India “to strictly discipline its frontline troops” and “provocative activity at once” in order to “work with China and come back to the right track of resolving the differences through dialogue & talk.” The Chinese spokesperson said that the two nations were communicating through diplomatic and military channels.
20 Indian soldiers dead, four severely injured
Twenty Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, were killed and several others grievously injured. Four more Indian soldiers were reported to be in a critical condition. They were reported to be in stable condition on Wednesday evening.
The clashes lasted several hours till midnight. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were present in far greater numbers and armed with nail-studded iron rods and stones during the prolonged brawl. In the “free-for-all” brawl, rival soldiers attacked and chased each other, with many falling into the Galwan rivulet located at an altitude of over 14,500-feet with steep ravines and gorges.
