India-China standoff LIVE: Chinese aggression increasing, standoff likely to be prolonged

By oneindia staff

| Updated: Thursday, August 6, 2020, 17:08 [IST]

New Delhi, Aug 06: India on Wednesday asked Beijing to keep out of the internal affairs of other countries after China contended that India's "unilateral" changes to the status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir were illegal and invalid.

As the Pakistan government observed Yaum-e-Istehsal or a "day of exploitation" to protest India's decision last year to scrap Jammu and Kashmir's special status and split it into two union territories, Beijing had also called on the Indian government and Islamabad to resolve the dispute over Kashmir through dialogue and consultations.

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5:06 PM, 6 Aug

Chinese aggression along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) has been increasing and the current standoff is expected to be prolonged, a defence ministry document noted

5:01 PM, 6 Aug

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday called for a big expansion of US government curbs on Chinese technology, saying that it wants to see “untrusted Chinese apps" pulled from the Google and Apple app stores. Outside experts called Pompeo's proposal vague and possibly illegal. Pompeo called out popular video app TikTok and the messaging app WeChat, which people in the US use to communicate with others in the US and China, as “significant threats to the personal data of American citizens, not to mention tools for CCP content censorship.” CCP refers to the Chinese Communist Party. The US government has already been cracking down on Chinese technology companies.

4:20 PM, 6 Aug

China's troops are still present in the Depsang Plains region, Gogra and the Fingers region along the Pangong Lake where India and China had started a mutual disengagement by creating a buffer zone between both sides, India has said.

4:11 PM, 6 Aug

China, according to top sources, has not pulled back troops from all the areas that it had intruded into in Ladakh near the LAC in May.

3:57 PM, 6 Aug

India and China have had five rounds of talks over de-escalation after the Galwan valley clash.

3:46 PM, 6 Aug

Later, PM Modi's office clarified that his observations that there was no Chinese presence on our side of the LAC "pertained to the situation as a consequence of the bravery of our armed forces."

3:36 PM, 6 Aug

At an all-party meeting on the China crisis in June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's words sparked opposition protests.

3:26 PM, 6 Aug

Citing a report on the now deleted document, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted today: "Why is the PM lying?"

3:14 PM, 6 Aug

A Corps commanders' flag meeting was held on June 6. "However, a violent face-off incident took place between the two sides on June 15, resulting in casualties on both sides."

2:42 PM, 6 Aug

The document said ground level interactions were held between the armed forces of both sides to defuse the situation.

2:07 PM, 6 Aug

China intruded into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh in early May, the Defence Ministry acknowledged in a document showing on the news section of its website since Tuesday.

1:55 PM, 6 Aug

The Finger Area - a set of eight cliffs jutting out of the Sirijap range overlooking the Pangong Lake - has emerged as the hardest part of the disengagement process with little hope of immediate resolution.

1:37 PM, 6 Aug

Top Indian and Chinese military commanders on Sunday met in eastern Ladakh to discuss the next stage of disengagement along the LAC with negotiations entering a critical phase due to serious differences between the two armies in the Finger Area near Pangong Tso and the the PLA’s reluctance to vacate positions held by it in what New Delhi claims to be Indian territory.

1:20 PM, 6 Aug

The ministry said the situation in Eastern Ladakh arising from unilateral aggression by China was sensitive and required close monitoring and prompt action based on evolving situation.

1:08 PM, 6 Aug

The document, which refers to only the month of June, said subsequent military talks took place on June 22 to discuss modalities of the de-escalation process.

12:45 PM, 6 Aug

In an official document listing out the major activities of the department of defence in June, the ministry said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) transgressed into the Indian side in the areas of Kugrang Nala, Gogra and the north bank of Pangong Tso on May 17-18. It was uploaded on the ministry’s website on August 4.

12:35 PM, 6 Aug

Chinese aggression along the contested LAC has been increasing and the current standoff is expected to be prolonged, a defence ministry document noted, with specific reference to the Galwan Valley where 20 Indian and an unspecified number of Chinese soldiers were killed in a brutal brawl on June 15.

12:14 PM, 6 Aug

China had backed Pakistan’s request to the UNSC to discuss Kashmir on Wednesday to coincide with the first anniversary of the revocation of the special status extended to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

12:04 PM, 6 Aug

India lashed out at China after its failed attempt to raise Kashmir at the United Nations Security Council on behalf of Pakistan, rejecting the attempted by Beijing to interfere in India’s internal affairs.

11:49 AM, 6 Aug

External affairs minister S Jaishankar, during a visit to Beijing last August, explained India’s position, saying the change in administrative status of the region wouldn’t impact the LAC.

11:25 AM, 6 Aug

New Delhi also pointed out that India and China had agreed to maintain peace along their disputed border until a mutually acceptable solution is found.

11:13 AM, 6 Aug

India had then rejected China’s criticism, saying the proposal to form new union territories was an “internal matter” that had no implications for the country’s external borders.

10:49 AM, 6 Aug

China had referred to the disputed territory of Aksai Chin, which China controls but India claims as part of the new union territory of Ladakh.

10:26 AM, 6 Aug

In August last year, China had described the move to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status as “unacceptable”, and urged India to respect Chinese territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

10:13 AM, 6 Aug

Pakistan on Tuesday released a new “political map” in which it claimed all of Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and parts of Gujarat – a move that India described as “an exercise in political absurdity”.

10:08 AM, 6 Aug

Wang described Pakistan and India as neighbours who “cannot be moved away”. He said China hopes the two sides can properly handle differences through dialogue, improve relations and jointly safeguard peace, security and development of both countries and the wider region.

9:50 AM, 6 Aug

India has accused China of failing to deliver on commitments to withdraw its troops from friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and asked it to sincerely implement measures for disengagement and de-escalation.

9:46 AM, 6 Aug

Wednesday’s developments also came against the backdrop of the months-long India-China border standoff in Ladakh, which has taken bilateral relations to a new low.

9:18 AM, 6 Aug

China’s position on the Kashmir issue, Wang said, is “clear and consistent”. “This issue is a dispute leftover from history between Pakistan and India," he added.

8:44 AM, 6 Aug

Responding to a query from Pakistan’s state-run APP news agency about the impact of India’s move a year later, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular news briefing that Beijing is closely following the situation in Kashmir.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

The Indian Army officer killed the clash was the commanding officer of a battalion at Galwan.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

There was no firing. Apparently the two sides clashed with stones and rods.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

There are various accounts on the number of casualties on the Chinese side. Some accounts suggest 5, while the others say it is 3. However there is no official word on the same.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

The visit by Army Chief General M M Naravane to Pathankot has been cancelled.

3:14 PM, 16 Jun

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said if the Chinese can "shoot dead" three Indian soldiers during the 'de-escalation process', one can imagine how serious the situation must have been in the first place. Earlier in the day, the Indian Army said an officer and two soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on Monday.

3:15 PM, 16 Jun

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be discussing the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a short while from now. Singh has already met Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.

3:16 PM, 16 Jun

We will eventually learn about the details of what happened in Ladakh. That is our right. But right now, we must grieve with & stand by the families of our martyred soldiers. And stand solidly in support of our armed forces.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 16, 2020

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra's tweet:

3:17 PM, 16 Jun

Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation along the Line of Actual Control.

3:29 PM, 16 Jun

Mehbooba Mufti took to Twitter to say that the nation wants to know why there is no talk of retaliation. Taking to Twitter, Mufti wrote,''Seems like China has hijacked the aggressive ‘ghar main ghuske marengay’ militaristic approach. Nation deserves to know why there is no talk of retaliation to avenge the death of three Indian army personnel!.''

3:29 PM, 16 Jun

Congrress leader Shashi Tharoor: The tragic news from Ladakh is shocking & calls for resolute handling by our Govt. Meanwhile, let us bow our heads in tribute to the three martyrs who gave their lives to protect India, and honour those who serve on our borders every day, risking their lives for our nation.

3:33 PM, 16 Jun

Both sides have been ascertaining that pending the final resolution of the boundary issue, it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.

3:33 PM, 16 Jun

China has lodged solemn representations and protests to India. Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines says Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry

3:34 PM, 16 Jun

Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh has met with External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar and Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat and discussed the situation along the LAC.

3:37 PM, 16 Jun

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that China has lodged solemn representations and protests to India. “Here, we are sternly demanding India to earnestly abide by the relevant agreement and strictly restrain their frontline troops. They should not cross the borderlines,” Lijian said.

3:38 PM, 16 Jun

"Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash", tweets Editor In Chief of Chinese Newspaper Global Times

3:39 PM, 16 Jun

The happening in the #Galwanvalley is a continuation of violations by China. It is time now that the country stands up to these incursions. Our soldiers are not fair game that every few days officers and men are being killed and injured defending our borders. (1/2)
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 16, 2020

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the happening in Galwan Valley is a continuation of violations by China and added that it is time now that India stood up to these incursions.

3:40 PM, 16 Jun

The talks are being held between Major General Abhijit Bapat, the commander of the Karu based HQ3 Infantry Division and his Chinese counterpart. The talks are being held at the site of the clash.

3:45 PM, 16 Jun

Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav took to Twitter and wrote, "Received the report of a commanding officer and two soldiers of Indian Army being killed in a 'violent face-off' with Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh. Heartfelt condolences." He also said that he expects a clarification on the ground reality of situation.

3:46 PM, 16 Jun

दो मुखी राजनीति

मोदी जी UPA पे आरोप लगाते थे के हम चीन को लाल आँख क्यूँ नहीं दिखते जब वो LAC पार करता है

मोदी जी आप चीन को लद्दाख़ में लाल आँख दिखने में क्यूँ झिझक रहे हैं ?

और जब नेपाल आप को लाल आँख देखा रहा है आप बात चीत करना चाहते हैं

छप्पन इंच की छाती कहाँ गयी ?
— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) June 16, 2020

Congress leader Kapil Sibal slammed the Union government for failing to respond to Chinese action in Ladakh. He also took pot shot on Prime Minister's 56-inch chest.

3:46 PM, 16 Jun

Indian troops seriously violated consensus of the two sides by illegally crossing the border twice and carrying out provocative attacks on Chinese soldiers. This resulted in serious physical clashes, China’s Global Times said while quoting foreign minister, Wang Yi.

3:52 PM, 16 Jun

Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday termed as 'disturbing' the violent clash between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley and said the government should offer a clearer picture to the nation on the border issue. He sought to know as to how Indian soldiers lost their lives during a de-escalation process and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh should come out with a clearer picture.

4:03 PM, 16 Jun

"Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness and sacrifice," said VK Singh.

4:11 PM, 16 Jun

The editor of Global Times posted on Twitter, “ based on what I know, Chinese side also suffered casualties in the Galwan Valley physical clash. I want to tell the Indian side, don’t be arrogant and misread China’s restraint as being weak. China doesn’t want to have a clash with India, but we don’t fear it.”

4:39 PM, 16 Jun

The talks between the two sides are still continuing and efforts are on to defuse tensions between India and China after a violent clash occurred.

4:41 PM, 16 Jun

The situation still remains fluid in Ladakh. Hectic talks are on to defuse the tensions along the Line of Actual Control.

5:06 PM, 16 Jun

The Congress has termed as "shocking" and "unacceptable" the death of an Indian Army officer and two soldiers in a violent face-off with the Chinese troops, and asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to confirm the development.

5:06 PM, 16 Jun

"Shocking, Unbelievable and Unacceptable! Will the Raksha Mantri confirm," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said on Twitter.

5:08 PM, 16 Jun

Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness & sacrifice.

Jai Hind!!
— Vijay Kumar Singh (@Gen_VKSingh) June 16, 2020

Saddened by the news of the martyrdom of our boys in the Galwan Valley. I salute their indomitable courage, selflessness and sacrifice, Union Minister, General V K Singh said.

5:15 PM, 16 Jun

AIMIM chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi took to Twitter to condemn the killings of three Indian army personnel.

5:16 PM, 16 Jun

"India stands with the 3 brave martyrs who were killed by China today in Galwan. My thoughts are with families of Colonel & 2 brave soldiers. The commanding officer was leading from the front. The government must avenge these killings & ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain," Owaisi tweeted.