India China border / PM Modi calls all-party meeting on June 19 over India-China clash

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold an all-party meeting on Friday to discuss the situation on the country’s border with China after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a face-off with Chinese troops along the undefined Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, his office said on Wednesday.

Twenty Indian Army soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed on Monday after over six hours of “violent face-off” with troops of China’s People’s Liberation Army along the undefined Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Galwan Valley of eastern Ladakh.

Four Indian soldiers are in critical condition after the face-off, news agency ANI reported quoting sources.

“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,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) tweeted.

The scrap came after tensions between India and China first flared up in early May following clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Sikkim and Ladakh sectors of the LAC. Both the sides have held a series of talks to resolve the six-week-long confrontation.

Indian Army officials claimed 43 Chinese were killed or seriously injured, citing radio intercepts and other intelligence. HT couldn’t independently verify this.

In first comments from the Centre, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday condoled the death of the 20 soldiers in Galwan Valley.

“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,” 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 bravehearts,” the minister added.

The Congress party, including its senior leader Rahul Gandhi, have questioned the Prime Minister’s silence over the Chinese aggression.

Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded to know about the violent confrontation between Indian and Chinese armies.

The Indian Army has said in a statement that the troops have disengaged since Monday’s confrontation.