Leh:
The Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh has briefed Defence Minister AK Antony on the Chinese incursion at Ladakh. The General reviewed the situation yesterday with senior commanders in Jammu and Kashmir.
China has rejected India's accusations that a platoon of its soldiers entered Indian territory on April 15 to set up camp in the Depsang valley, while Chinese helicopters provided cover by entering Indian airspace. Two flag meetings between military commanders from both sides have not ended the deadlock. A third session is expected tomorrow.
Despite the tension at the disputed border, the worst in years, Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has confirmed he will visit China on May 9.
The Indian army has told the government that it has not detected a build-up on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Unmanned aerial vehicles have been deployed to track the Chinese army's activities near Daulat Beg Oldie, where India established a landing strip during the 1962 war. At 5,100 meters (16,700 feet), the strip is one of the world's highest. It was reopened in 2008.
Two flag meetings of army commanders from both sides have not accomplished a breakthrough. At the second of those meetings, held yesterday, China reiterated that its camp is not located on the Indian side of the disputed border and said its soldiers would not withdraw.
"I believe we have a mutual interest and we should not destroy years of contribution we have put together," Mr Khurshid said today.
His trip to China is part of scheduled preparations for a visit by the newly installed Chinese Premier Li Keqiang who is expected in New Delhi on May 20 for his first overseas trip.