India-China LAC standoff | Narendra Modi reviews situation with NSA, CDS and 3 Service Chiefs
The HinduPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reviewed the current situation on the Line of Actual Control and the ongoing standoff with China with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat and the three Service Chiefs, multiple sources said. Thus far, the MEA has issued only one statement on the tensions at LAC, in which it said Chinese troops were “hindering India’s normal patrolling patterns”, and denied Chinese accusations. In contrast, in three separate sets of remarks last week, the Chinese MFA had accused Indian troops of “crossing the line” across Ladakh and Sikkim, of “infringement activities” and of “attempting to unilaterally change the status of border control.” MEA officials have also said “established mechanisms” are in place to resolve the issue, indicating their relative silence on the issue is to enable talks between military commanders and diplomatic channels to proceed. However, sources on the ground have indicated that the situation on the ground is far more serious, with a faceoff between troops at atleast three points in Ladakh and Nakula Pass in Sikkim, increased numbers of Chinese troops at the LAC in areas where India patrols, including the Galwan river valley, and Chinese troops blocking Indian patrols in the finger areas on the Pangong Tso.