At least 20 Indian Army personnel were killed in a “violent face-off” in Ladakh's Galwan Valley on the night of June 15-16, the Army said yesterday. Four more Indian soldiers are in critical condition, reports suggest. In a statement earlier, the Indian Army had indicated that there were casualties on the Chinese side too. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called an all-party meet on June 19 to discuss the situation.
In his first official response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that loss of soldiers “is deeply disturbing and painful” and that they “displayed exemplary courage and valour”. “The nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice,” he added. More developments and reactions are expected on this front. Catch the LIVE updates here:
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | MoS Defence S Naik:
It's a matter of national security, there'll be no compromise. I pay tribute to all jawans who lost lives. Nation is proud of them that they made the supreme sacrifice. It won't be in vain. It was pre-planned by China, Indian forces will give befitting reply.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
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, news agency ANI has reported.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Army deploys additional troops along LAC; Navy, Air Force raise alert level
Frontline bases of the Indian army and the air force along the nearly 3,500 km de-facto border with China were put on high alert on Wednesday in view of the worst border clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley that left 20 Army personnel dead and several injured, government sources said.
The Indian Navy has also been asked to raise its alert-level in the Indian Ocean Region where Chinese Navy has been making regular forays.
The Army has already rushed in additional troops and weaponry to all its key frontline bases and formations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhan, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, they said. (PTI)
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | India-China border tension fallout: No birthday greetings for Xi Jinping from PM Narendra Modi
In what can be construed as a sign of deterioration in relations following the standoff between armed forces of the two countries, PM Narendra Modidid not extend birthday wishes toChinesePresident Xi Jinping, a gesture he has shown since 2016 despite the upheavals in bilateral ties.
Xi, who turned 67 on June 15, has already taken a step toward a "retirement extension”.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is currently meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik has announced an exgratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the next of the kin of the two martyrs andconveyed his deep sympathies to the bereaved families.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Army sources to news agency ANI:
Four Army personnel who were critically injured after the violent face-off with Chinese troops are stable now.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Nikolay Kudashev, Ambassador of Russia to India:
We welcome all steps aimed at de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), including the conversation between the two Foreign Ministers, and remain optimistic.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Govt should give strategic as well as economic reply to China: 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 Indian Army personnel 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.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on June 19 all-party meeting:
We are proud of our nation, we will fight this together. We stand with the nation at this hour.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | President Ram Nath Kovind:
All those who laid down their lives in Galwan valley of Ladakh have upheld the best traditions of the Indian armed forces. Their valour will be eternally etched in the memory of the nation. My deepest condolences to their families. (2/2)
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | President Ram Nath Kovind:
As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I bow to the exemplary courage and supreme sacrifice of our soldiers to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country. (1/2)
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | RSS statement on India-China Galwan Valley skirmish:
RSS pays tribute to the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice while defending India's sovereignty, integrity and self-respect in Galwan Valley. We condemn this violent act by the Chinese government and army. The entire nation is behind the Indian government and the Indian Army.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Meanwhile,Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has hit out at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, asking why he insulted the Indian Army by not naming China in his tweet over the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley.
He also asked the defence minister why it took him two days to condole the deaths and why did he continue to address poll rallies when the soldiers were being martyred. (PTI)
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | What S Jaishankar conveyed to China's Foreign Minister:
>> India & China agree that overall situation should be handled responsibly
>> Both sides agreed to implement consensus reached on 6th June
>> Neither side would take action to escalate matters
>> Chinese troops tried to erect a structure in Galwan, on Indian side of LAC
>> Pre-meditated action by Chinese troops led to violence and casualties
>> China intended to change facts on the ground, violating the consensus
>> The violent clashes will have serious impact on bilateral relationship
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Wang Yi-S Jaishankar talks:
It was agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner, and both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6 June sincerely.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Indian FM S Jaishankar to Chinese counterpart:
What happened in Galwan was premeditated and planned action by China which was responsible for the sequence of events.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Indian Army:
General MM Naravane COASandall ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of our valiant soldiers at Galwan. We offer deepest condolences to families and stand strong in our resolve towards protecting sovereignty andintegrity of our country. Their sacrifices will not go in vain.
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China's Foreign MinisterWang Yi conveyed to FM Jaishankar that India has violated the consensus reached between the two sides. HeaskedIndia to stop all provocative activities at the border and not carry out such acts in future. He also said that India and China should work together for economic prosperity.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Virginie Battu-Henriksson, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:In light of recent worrying developments along LAC between India andChina, we encourage both sides to show restraint andto engage in military de-escalation, as well as to continue the dialogue.This is crucial for building trust and reaching a peaceful solution which is essential to preserving peace and stability in the region.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
China's govt-backed Global Times has said thatChina urged India to investigate the clash incident in the border region on Monday, punish those responsible, and restrain its military forces in the region to prevent any provocative actions. This, according to the newspaper, was done during a conversation betweenIndian FM SJaishankarand his Chinese counterpartWang Yi.
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China, India agree to resolve border clash in a fair way, de-escalate as soon as possible, reports news agency Reuters quoting China foreign ministry.
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West BengalChief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces compensation of Rs 5 lakh andgovt job to one family member each of the two soldiers, residents of the state, whowere killed in actionin Galwan Valleyclash on June 15-16.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Home Minister Amit Shah:
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.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Home Minister Amit Shah:
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.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reviews LAC situation with CDS, three services chiefs
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this morning, reviewed the LAC situation in a meeting at South Block that was attended by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Secretary Department of Military Affairs General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.
India-China feud | Things you need to know about the 1967 Nathu La and Cho La clashes
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | IAF fighters moved to forward locations, Navy allowed to deploy assets near Malacca Strait
The Centre has given powers to the defence forces to make emergency procurements to stock up its battle reserves amid escalating conflict with China, The Economic Times has reported.
Indian Air Force (IAF) assets, including fighters, have been moved up to forward locations.
The Indian Navy has also been allowed to deploy its assets near the Malacca Strait and anywhere else in the Indo-Pacific, if needed.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | PM Modi ahead of his COVID-19-related video conference with CMs:
We have always tried to ensure that difference do not turn into a dispute. We never instigate anyone. But we never compromise on our country’s integrity and sovereignty either. Valour and bravery are part of India’s character. We have always displayed our capabilities when necessary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all chief ministers, ahead of their video conference on COVID-19 response,are observing two minutes of silence as a tributeto the 20 Indian Army personnel killed in action at the LAC on June 15-16 during a face-off with Chinese troops.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | PM Modi ahead of his COVID-19-related video conference with CMs:
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 of giving a befitting reply if instigated.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Following are the names of the Indian Amry personnel who were killed in action during the violent face-off between Chinese troops in Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15-16:
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | 5 must-read books you should pick to understand the India-China conflict
The Indian army said on June 16 that 20 of its soldiers were killed in clashes with Chinese troops along the border it shares with that country. The deaths were the culmination — rather, escalation — of a weeks-long standoff between the two countries in the western Himalayas.
India and China have long been energetic trade partners but share a turbulent history in strategic affairssince the brief but bloody war fought in 1962. An uneasy truce prevailed and the distrust seeded by that conflict has often flared up into skirmishes at intervals ever since.The two countries have tried several times since the early 1990s to settle their border dispute without success.
Now would be a good time to educate ourselves on the tempestuous history between the two countries.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | JUST IN:
Major General-level talks are underway between the two sides in Galwan Valley, News18 has reported.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Things you need to know about Galwan Valley
Also read:Significance of Ladakh'sGalwanValley
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | Lt Gen (Retd) SL Narasimhan to CNN News18:
At the moment, there has been a disengagement of troops in that area. Though the situation is tense, there is some kind of quietness that prevails there. We need to take this forward to resolve this.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates | JUST IN — Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Twitter:
In order to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister @narendramodi has called for an all-party meeting at 5 PM on 19th June. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: From the Chinese side, we do not wish to see more clashes. (Input from ANI)India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: We ask India to strictly discipline its frontline troops, stop infringing and provocative activity at once, work with China and come back to the right track of resolving the differences through dialogue and talk. (Input from ANI)
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
“So Beijing will do good to focus on its internal crisis and not push New Delhi any further to build up a joint front in Asia. While China today stands isolated on the global stage, India's diplomatic muscle is growing and so is its capacity to rejig its defence posturing to give a fitting response to Beijing's misadventures,” communications professional Jhinuk Chowdhury writes for Moneycontrol.
Read the full opinion piece: Beijing's power projection comes at a wrong time for China
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Expert reaction
Vivek Katju, a retired Indian diplomat, told Associated Press the deadly violence represented a dramatic departure from the four-decades-old status quo of troops from the two countries staring each other down without any fatalities.
“The political class and the security class as a whole will have to do very serious thinking about the road ahead,” he said.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Expert reaction
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist at the Wilson Center, told Associated Press that the two countries were unlikely to go to war because they cannot “afford a conflict.”
“But let’s be clear: It beggars belief to think that they can magically deescalate after a deadly exchange with such a higher number of fatalities,” he said. “This crisis isn’t ending anytime soon.”
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Twitter: The nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s bravehearts.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Twitter: 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.India-China Border News LIVE Updates | In this image from Associated Press:
A paramilitary policeman gestures at a photographer near the entrance to the Indian embassy in Beijing today.
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
'An extraordinary escalation': What global media thinks about the violent face-off
“The worst border clash between India and China in more than 40 years." This is how the New York Times described the violent face-off between the Indian and Chinese troops.
The Guardian's world affairs editor Julian Borger wrote about how tensions between two nuclear weapons states "could spiral out of control".
India-China Border News LIVE Updates |
In a series of tweets, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has said, “Our land, our sovereignty is being threatened, our soldiers and officers have been martyred, are we just going to remain silent? India deserves the truth. It deserves a leadership that is willing to do anything before allowing its land to be taken. Show up @narendermodi ji, it’s time to stand up to China.”
