India-China standoff LIVE: Pangong Tso lake reopens for tourists after faceoff

By Anuj Cariappa

| Updated: Saturday, January 16, 2021, 15:48 [IST]

New Delhi, Jan 16: Following the escalation of tensions between forces of both sides at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the movement of tourists was banned along several border areas and the world-famous Pangong Tso lake was also declared out-of-bounds for tourists.

Here are the Live updates:

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3:48 PM, 16 Jan

Indian and the Chinese forces have been engaged in a bitter border row along the LAC in eastern Ladakh since last year.

3:48 PM, 16 Jan

But as the tensions on the border have now reduced, some tourists areas near the LAC in Ladakh have been reopened for the public. The areas reopening for tourism are not located near the flashpoints between India and China.

3:47 PM, 16 Jan

Following the escalation of tensions between the Indian and the Chinese forces at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the movement of tourists was banned along several border areas and the world-famous Pangong Tso lake was also declared out-of-bounds for tourists.

8:16 AM, 16 Jan

As the tensions on the border have now reduced, some tourists areas near the LAC in Ladakh have been reopened for the public.

11:52 PM, 15 Jan

Naravane said India had given a fitting response to the (Chinese) conspiracy of attempting to unilaterally change the status quo along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) where India and China have been locked in a standoff for over eight months. “I want to assure the country that the sacrifice of the Galwan braves will not go in vain,” he said.

11:51 PM, 15 Jan

In a strong message to China amid the ongoing border standoff in eastern Ladakh, army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Friday said while India was committed to resolving the row through military and diplomatic talks, “no one should commit the mistake of testing our patience.”

5:31 PM, 15 Jan

The troops of the Indian Army and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army(PLA) are locked in a standoff for over eight months.

5:31 PM, 15 Jan

Mr. Srivastava was responding to a question on the status of talks between the two countries on the military face-off in eastern Ladakh.

5:28 PM, 15 Jan

“India and China continue to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the western sector and for full restoration of peace and tranquillity,” he told a media briefing.

5:28 PM, 15 Jan

The MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the two sides have agreed to hold the next round of military talks and are in constant communication in this regard.

5:28 PM, 15 Jan

India and China continue to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement at all friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

8:24 AM, 15 Jan

The administration of the newly-created federal territory of Ladakh opened the world’s highest saltwater lake, almost a year after it was closed for tourists due to COVID-19 restrictions followed by the military standoff along the disputed border between the two Asian giants.

10:57 PM, 14 Jan

The Army Chief said the armed forces remained vigilant and determined to maintain "operational ascendancy" across all of India''s borders, be it the Line of Control(LoC), Line of Actual Control(LAC), AGPL (Actual Ground Position Line) or the international border (IB with Pakistan)

10:57 PM, 14 Jan

Gen Naravane said he was confident that the Army''s military character built on secular credentials, robust discipline and astute professionalism will continue to strengthen the force in meeting the aspirations of an emerging India.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

Referring to cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, the Chief of Army Staff said the Army shall not hesitate to strike at the very source of terrorism to safeguard India''s interests.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

He also said the Army was swift and decisive in its response to the design of the adversary but at the same time prevented the military stand-off in eastern Ladakh from escalating further.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

In a message aired on All India Radi(AIR) on the eve of the Army Day on Friday, Gen Naravane said the Army is committed to resolving disputes through dialogue.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

The Indian Army will stand firm against any attempt to "unilaterally" change the "status quo" at the borders and its desire for peace and tranquillity should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Thursday, remarks that came against the backdrop of the Ladakh standoff with China.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

'As soon as this is received from the Chinese authorities, the company (that owns the ship) is expected to initiate the process of crew change,' he said.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

'As regards MV Anastasia, we are closely coordinating with the Chinese authorities who are finalising the process or SOP (standard operating procedure) to effect crew change at anchorage,' External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

Thirty-nine Indian crew members are stranded on two cargo ships in Chinese waters out of whom 23 who are stuck on board MV Jag Anand are returning to India.

10:56 PM, 14 Jan

India said it is closely coordinating with China to bring back 16 Indian sailors who are stranded on a cargo ship in Chinese waters for nearly four months.

10:55 PM, 14 Jan

The defence minister is in Bengaluru at Indian Air Force's HQ Training Command.

10:55 PM, 14 Jan

"India does not want conflict with anyone; it wants peace and friendly ties since it's in our blood and culture," PTI further quoted him as saying.

10:54 PM, 14 Jan

"We don't want war, but if any superpower wants to hurt our self-esteem, then our soldiers are capable of giving a befitting reply," Singh said on the occasion of Armed Forces Veterans Day without naming China, according to new agency PTI.

10:54 PM, 14 Jan

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday indirectly gave a stern message to China saying that India's soldiers are capable of giving befitting reply to any "superpower" that wants to hurt India's self-esteem.

10:54 PM, 14 Jan

Srivastava was responding to a question on the status of talks between the two countries on the military face-off in eastern Ladakh.

10:54 PM, 14 Jan

"India and China continue to maintain close communication through diplomatic and military channels with the objective of ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the western sector and for full restoration of peace and tranquillity," he told a media briefing.

10:54 PM, 14 Jan

The MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the two sides have agreed to hold the next round of military talks and are in constant communication in this regard.

10:54 PM, 14 Jan

12:04 PM, 31 Aug

Chinese troops “carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo" on the intervening night of August 29 and 30 but the attempt was thwarted by India, the government said on Monday.

12:04 PM, 31 Aug

A brigade commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve issues: Indian Army on latest incident in Pangong Tso area.

12:27 PM, 31 Aug

Indian troops pre-empted the PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground: Army's statement

12:28 PM, 31 Aug

Army sources said the Chinese Army had tried to transgress into Indian areas using a sizeable number of troops but Indian Army came to know about their intentions and preempted the Chinese attempt and foiled their move, reports ANI

3:50 PM, 31 Aug

Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the Southern Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground: Col Aman Anand, PRO, Army

3:50 PM, 31 Aug

So far, there has been no physical clash between Indian and Chinese troops near the southern bank of Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh: Indian Army Sources

3:52 PM, 31 Aug

"Our armed forces are standing fearlessly to protect Mother India. But, when will Modi ji show his red eyes," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said in a tweet in Hindi.

3:52 PM, 31 Aug

Days before the Chinese Army tried to carry out fresh transgressions near the Southern bank of Pangong Tso lake, the People's Liberation Army's Air Force (PLAAF) redeployed its J-20 fifth-generation fighter aircraft near Ladakh for operational deployment and they are still carrying out extensive flying there.

3:52 PM, 31 Aug

Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane has already conveyed to all the senior commanders of the Army, overseeing the operation of the frontline formations along the LAC, to keep up a significantly high state of alertness and maintain the aggressive posturing to deal with any Chinese "misadventure", sources said.

3:53 PM, 31 Aug

3:57 PM, 31 Aug

According to reports, China has reportedly built a surface-to-air missile near a lake, which is a part of the Kailash-Mansarovar.

6:45 PM, 31 Aug

The Indian Army has significantly enhanced deployment of troops and weapons in all "strategic points" around the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh following an unsuccessful attempt by the Chinese PLA to unilaterally change the status quo in the area, authoritative sources said on Monday.

8:10 PM, 31 Aug

The Army has also further bolstered overall surveillance mechanisms in all areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh after foiling China''s fresh attempt to occupy an area on the southern bank of Pangong lake, they said.

8:28 PM, 31 Aug

We are cognizant of China's rise. Being an immediate neighbour, we are directly impacted by it. India has also been rising in this period. If you have two countries with billion of people each, it's important they reach some kind of understanding & equilibrium: EAM S Jaishankar

8:31 PM, 31 Aug

China's relation with Pakistan goes back to early 60s and aspects of it have been a matter of concern to us earlier too. That is something which will factor in our relationship with both countries: Jaishankar

8:31 PM, 31 Aug

9:15 PM, 31 Aug

Height occupied by Indian Army troops including a special operations battalion is south of Southern bank of Pangong Tso lake near Thakung. Height was lying dormant&can give strategic advantage to side which holds it for controlling the southern bank of lake&areas around: Sources told ANI.

9:41 AM, 1 Sep

China is ready to work with its neighbors to resolve issues left over from history through friendly consultation in the spirit of building friendship and partnership said Wang.

9:50 AM, 1 Sep

With regard to the recent China-India border dispute, Wang said that China has always been committed to maintaining stability along the China-India border and will not be the first to complicate or escalate the situation.

10:03 AM, 1 Sep

China's Western Theatre Command said that Indian troops once again illegally crossed the Line of Actual Control near the south bank of the Pangong Lake and Reqin mountain pass on Monday.

10:26 AM, 1 Sep

A special operations battalion was recently inducted into the area & on the night of August 29-30 moved into the area & occupied the heights from where Chinese troops were present barely a few hundred meters: Sources

11:10 AM, 1 Sep

Addressing the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), Jaishankar said India has been “cognisant” of China’s rise and is impacted by it as an immediate neighbour. “But India has been rising too, and that’s equally important to remember,” he said. Asked about the Pakistan-China nexus, the minister said India factored it in while making policy.

11:38 AM, 1 Sep

The defence ministry on Monday inked contracts worth Rs 2,580 crore for six new regiments of the indigenous Pinaka multi-launch artillery rocket systems, which have a strike range of 40-km. The six Pinaka Regiments comprise 114 Launchers with automated gun-aiming and -positioning system and 45 command posts to be procured from TPCL and L&T, along with 330 vehicles from BEML.

12:45 PM, 1 Sep

In a strategically significant move, the Indian Army has occupied the height on the southern bank of Pangong Tso in Ladakh which will give it an upper hand in the area. Sources said that on the night of August 29-30, a special operations battalion moved into the area and occupied the heights with Chinese troops barely a few hundred meters away.

12:45 PM, 1 Sep

Chinese Embassy in India releases statement on India-China border situation; says, "Indian troops illegally trespassed LAC again at southern bank of Pangong Tso."

2:27 PM, 1 Sep

Chinese Embassy in India further reads, "China made solemn representations to India, urged them to control & restrain frontline troops."

2:29 PM, 1 Sep

India-China border not yet demarcated, there will always be problems: Chinese foreign minister

2:46 PM, 1 Sep

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the India-China boundary is yet to be demarcated due to which there will always be problems and the two countries should implement the consensuses between their leadership to not let differences from escalating into conflicts.

2:48 PM, 1 Sep

He also said that China is ready to manage all issues through dialogue with India.

3:04 PM, 1 Sep

Wang, who is currently on a tour of Europe, made the remarks during an ineteraction at the French Institute of International Relations in Paris on Monday.