India-China updates: China is reportedly upset with India's construction of roads, air strips.
The sacrifices of Indian soldiers killed in a clash with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh will not go in waste, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, as he chaired a scheduled meeting with state chief ministers on the coronavirus cases. "We don't want differences to turn into disputes, we have always displayed our power in protecting the country's integrity and sovereignty," he said. PM Modi also observed two minutes silence for the soldiers before starting the meeting.
Meanwhile, the talks between Major Generals of India and China in Galwan Valley in Ladakh, the site of a huge clash on Monday in which 20 soldiers were killed, were inconclusive, army sources said today.
"The talks have remained inconclusive as there is no immediate disengagement or change in the ground," sources told NDTV. "More talks to take place in the coming days," they added.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi had called an all-party meeting on Friday to discuss the situation at the India-China border after clashes in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers laid down their lives. Presidents of various political parties participated in the meeting at 5 pm on Friday via video conferencing.
Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops in Ladakh after they tried to "unilaterally change the status quo there", the Army said in a statement on Tuesday. A Colonel and two jawans were among the soldiers killed in the face-off at Galwan Valley in Ladakh -- the most serious escalation between the two countries along the border in five decades. Army sources have told NDTV that up to 45 Chinese soldiers have been killed or injured in the fight.
Here are the highlights on India-China face-off In Ladakh:
Will Come Home After Lockdown: Soldier Killed In Galwan Valley Clash Told FamilyWhen Naik Deepak Kumar Singh told his grandmother on the phone a few days ago from his Ladakh post that he will come home after the coronavirus-induced lockdown ends, he did not know it would be his last conversation with his family, reported PTI.
Deepak Singh, who had got married just seven months ago, was among the 20 Indian Army personnel, including a colonel, who were killed in a fierce clash with the Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night.
"I will come home on leave after the lockdown ends," the 30-year-old, a Naik in the Indian Army, told his grandmother Phool Kumari a few days ago.
As the news of his death spread, Deepak Singh's family members and residents of his village, located about 40 km from Rewa district headquarters, plunged into grief.
BJP Workers Stage Protest At India Gate Against China Over Face-Off In Ladakh
BJP workers held a protest at Delhi's India gate on Wednesday over the Galwan Valley face-off in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in action on June 15, reported ANI. The protestors chanted the slogan, "Bharat mata ki jai,Vande Mataram." They were also carrying banners that read: "We support the Indian Army!"
Jharkhand Loses Two Bravehearts In Clash With Chinese Troops In Ladakh
Jharkhand plunged into grief on Wednesday as the violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley stripped the state of two its bravehearts -- Kundan Kumar Ojha and Ganesh Hansda, reported PTI. Kundan Ojha, who was blessed with a daughter just 17 days ago, had promised his mother over the phone that he would be home as soon as he got leave from duty. That was the last the family heard from the 28-year-old soldier. He and Ganesh Hansda were among the 20 Army personnel killed in a fierce clash with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on Monday night. The second of the four children of farmer Ravi Shankar Ojha and Bhawani Devi from Dihari village in Sahibganj district, Ojha had joined the Army in 2011. He had tied the knot a year-and-a-half ago. A resident of Kosaphalia village in Bahrahgora block of East Singhbhum, Ganesh Hansda was the younger child of Sukhda and Kapra.
"Monitoring situation": US on Ladakh clash
The White House on Wednesday (local time) said that it is aware of the developments on the India-China border and expressed its condolences over the death of Indian soldiers in the face-off between troops of both the countries at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June 15 night.
"We are aware and we're monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control and Eastern Ladakh. We have seen the Indian Army statement that 20 Indian soldiers died as a result of the confrontation. We send our deepest condolences on that," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.
However, the White House denied any plans to defuse tension between India and China, reported news agency ANI.
"India won't be bullied by Chinese misadventure": Congress leader Ashwani Kumar
Senior Congress leader Ashwani Kumar on Wednesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to convene all-party meeting over the violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley.
"The aggressor should know that while we remain committed to peace and a negotiated settlement of outstanding boundary disputes with our neighbours. India will not be bullied by the Chinese misadventure of military aggression," Mr Kumar told ANI.
The former law minister stated that the "Chinese aggression in Ladakh, resulting in the death of brave Indian soldiers, is clearly a hostile act and a brazen affront to Indian sensitivities".
National Interest Should Be Supreme: Pranab Mukherjee On LadakhFormer President Pranab Mukherjee today said the events in Ladakh are of "grave concern" not only for the nation's strategic interests but also have "far-reaching global geo-political ramifications". While handling it, the government should take "various stake-holders" on board and ensure that "nothing but out national interests are kept supreme"." itemprop="description
Ladakh Lt Governor pays tribute to soldiers killed in clashes
Lt Governor of Ladakh R K Mathur on Wednesday took part in the wreath-laying ceremony for three of the 20 army personnel who lost their lives in a violent clash with the Chinese army in Galwan Valley and said their sacrifice will not go waste.
Twenty Indian Army personnel including a colonel were killed in the clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff between the two countries.
"The sacrifice will not go waste; rather it will strengthen the resolve of Ladakhis and the entire country to protect our border," Mr Mathur said after paying tributes.
Delhi BJP leaders take out candlelight march to pay homage to soldiers killed in line of duty
Delhi BJP leaders took out a candlelight march at India Gate on Wednesday evening to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in a violent clash with the Chinese army in Ladakh's Galwan Valley.
The march was led by Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta, reported news agency PTI.
He said India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi knows how to give a "befitting reply" to every attack on the sovereignty of the country.
"The country will be indebted for life to the jawans who were martyred for their supreme sacrifice for the motherland," he said.
Twenty Indian Army personnel including a colonel were killed in the clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff between the two countries.
Telangana with Centre in face off with China, says its chief minister
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday said his government and people stand with the Centre in the violent face off with China, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.
He said there should be no compromise on the security of the country and the entire nation should stand as one on the issue.
The Chief Minister mentioned about the Indo-China skirmishes at the border while interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video conference on Wednesday, an official release said.
Punjab announces relief, job for family members of soldiers killed in Ladakh clash
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced compensation and a job to the family memebbers of each of the four soldiers from the state killed in a violent face-off with the Chinese army in Ladakh.
At least 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in the line of duty on Monday night.
The Punjab Chief Ministeralso extended his heartfelt condolences to families of the soldiers.
The loss suffered by the families is immeasurable and cannot be compensated with material things but the compensation and the jobs will help alleviate some of their sufferings, said Mr Singh in a press release, paying his tributes to the four men.
India China Ladakh Face-Off: How China Assaulted Indian Soldiers, Flung Them Into RiverIndia has conveyed to China the fact that the deadly clash in eastern Ladakh on Monday night will have "a serious impact" on relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar shared this with his counterpart in Beijing in a phone conversation today. Both sides agreed not to take "any action to escalate matters", a statement from the Foreign Ministry said." itemprop="description
Uttar Pradesh Governor, Chief Minister pay tribute to soldiers killed in action
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday paid homage to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives in a violent clash with the Chinese army in Ladakh's Galwan Valley and said their supreme sacrifice will always be remembered.
A Raj Bhawan release said the governor has extended her condolences to the bereaved families and said the immense courage displayed by these soldiers would always be remembered.
In his condolence message, the chief minister said the supreme sacrifice of the soldiers, who displayed exemplary courage for the security of the nation and gave their lives, would always be remembered.
Mamata Banerjee welcomes Centre's decision to call all-party meet over Ladakh clash
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday welcomed the Centre's decision to call an all-party meeting on June 19 to discuss the situation on the India-China border in Ladakh and said her party stands by the country at this hour of crisis.
"We stand by the country and our armed forces at this hour of crisis and completely support the decision to call an all-party meeting. Technically, it is a correct decision," the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief said.
"We do not want to comment on issues relating to external affairs. Let the Union government decide on it," the chief minister said, when asked about the border standoff with China.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister pays tribute to soldiers killed in line of duty
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has paid tributes to soldiers killed in Ladakh while repulsing Chinese soldiers.
"Ganesh Ram Kunjam from Kanker district of Chhattisgarh was among these soldiers. We are proud of our brave and courageous soldiers and we stand united to protect the integrity of the nation," a release issued on Wednesday quoted the chief minister as saying.
Twentysoldiers, including a colonel, were killed in a fierce clash with the Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh on Monday night.
"I bow to the exemplary courage of our soldiers": President Ram Nath Kovind
Government should give strategic as well as economic reply to China: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav
The government should not only give a "strategic", but also an economic reply to China, the Samajwadi Party (SP) said on Wednesday after 20 soldiers were killed in a violent clash with the Chinese army in Ladakh.
In a tweet in Hindi, SP president Akhilesh Yadav said the SP will support the government on any decision in the nation''s interest.
"Seeing the violent behaviour of China, the Indian government should not only give a strategic but an economic reply also to them," he said.
"All contracts awarded to Chinese companies should be suspended with immediate effect and there should be restraint on imports from China," Mr Yadav said.
Sonia Gandhi's Questions To PM Narendra Modi After India-China Face-Off In LadakhPrime Minister Narendra Modi should step forward and explain to the nation how China managed to grab Indian territory and why 20 soldiers had to sacrifice their lives for the nation, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said today. In a 3-minute video, she also posed a series of tough questions for the Prime Minister and announced that the party stands with the armed forces and the government." itemprop="description
Just In: Foreign Ministers Of India And China Speak On Phone After Ladakh Face-Off
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi speak over the phone two days after Ladakh face-off.
India will remain indebted for supreme sacrifice: Amit Shah on soldiers killed in line of duty
"Nation salutes our immortal heroes": Amit Shah on soldiers killed in action in Ladakh
Congress stands with our armed forces: Sonia Gandhi
"Congress stands with our armed forces, our soldiers, families of our soldiers and the government of India, in these tough times," said party chief Sonia Gandhi on Ladakh clash.
PM Modi observes two-minute silence as a tribute to the soldiers killed in line of duty in Ladakh
JUST IN: PM Modi Calls All-Party Meet On Friday To Discuss Situation After Ladakh Clash
No Mention Of Casualties In China State Media
Neither the Indian army nor the government have officially commented on how many Chinese soldiers were hurt or killed but sources tell NDTV that the number stands at about 45. This information is based on intercepts as well as helicopters that were seen hovering in the area to airlift Chinese troops.
China's defence ministry confirmed late Tuesday that there had been casualties but has refrained from giving a number.
The Chinese nationalist tabloid Global Times reported the number of deaths on the Indian side, but said China had not released information about casualties.
Meanwhile, state broadcaster CCTV and the Communist Party-owned People's Daily republished the Chinese military's official statement on social media, without any additional reports.
CCTV's widely watched daily Xinwen Lianbo evening news broadcast made no mention of the border confrontation on Tuesday. (Read full story
here)
For Modi, China Clash Is His Biggest Challenge As PM
India is a responsible nation which relies on diplomatic and back-channel talks to defuse tensions. The Chinese have not entered our territory to launch a full-scale war with India. At the outside, they want to force India to negotiate, as Mao told his commanders in 1962. This is not the time for India to react in anger."
"Deeply Disturbing And Painful": Rajnath Singh On Soldiers Killed In Action In Ladakh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today gave his condolences to the families of 20 soldiers who laid down their lives for India in a violent face-off with the Chinese army at Galwan valley in Ladakh.
"The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army," Mr Singh tweeted.
"The Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stand shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India's breavehearts," the Defence Minister said.
The violent clashes with Chinese soldiers at Galwan valley in Ladakh has prompted the Indian Army to rethink its rules of engagement along the sensitive Line of Actual Control (LAC), people with direct knowledge of the matter told NDTV. (Read full story
here)
Mother Of Colonel, Killed In Action In Ladakh, Remembers Last Phone Call
Colonel Santosh Babu, the army officer who died for the country on Monday night, was to be transferred to Hyderabad but the move was delayed by the coronavirus lockdown. He last spoke to his parents on Sunday, a day before he was killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh.
Colonel Santosh Babu from Telangana and two jawans, Havildar Palani from Tamil Nadu and Sepoy Ojha from Jharkhand, were among 20 soldiers killed in the first fatal clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers since 1975.
Santosh Babu's wife, daughter, 8, and son, 4, who live in Delhi, have been flown to Telangana. (Read full story
here)
India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh, said the spokesperson, and senior Commanders had a productive meeting on June 6 and agreed on a process for such de-escalation. Subsequently, ground commanders had a series of meetings to implement the consensus reached at a higher level.
Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in a "violent face-off" with Chinese troops in Ladakh after they tried to "unilaterally change the status quo there", the Army said in a statement on Tuesday. A Colonel and two jawans were among the soldiers killed in the face-off at Galwan Valley in Ladakh -- the most serious escalation between the two countries along the border in five decades.
News agency ANI, quoting sources, had confirmed 43 Chinese soldiers have been killed or seriously injured because of intercepts, though the army's statement did not refer to this.