After the brutal face-off in Galwan Valley, the Indian government has reportedly given the army a go-ahead to stock up on their war reserves and emergency procurements.?
In view of the escalating border tensions, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has been ordered to work with the country¡¯s three armed forces in prioritising procurement requirements, reports Economic Times.
According to the report, the?Navy has also been given the go-ahead to deploy its assets near the Malacca Strait and, if needed, anywhere else in the Indo-Pacific to counter Chinese action.??
The Indian government, it seems, is not taking any chances and is prepared for any further aggression from China.?While the two nations are trying to put the bloody attack in Galwan Valley behind them, they are also ramping up their troop deployment.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, add reports.?On Tuesday, Singh held a series of meetings with the three service chiefs as well as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat.?
According to reports, the army has already increased its deployment at crucial frontline bases and formations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in states of Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
Also Read: India-China Faceoff: First Fatalities Since 1975, What We Know About Galwan Valley Incident
The first skirmish happened between May 5 and May 6?when Indian and Chinese patrols on the northern bank of Ladakh's Pangong Tso lake clashed. The confrontation involved 250 men, stones were used, and both sides suffered injuries.
June 15th's violent clash happened when the Chinese side ¡°departed from the consensus to respect the LAC (Line of Actual Control) and attempted to ¡°unilaterally change the status quo¡±. Rival soldiers exchanged blows, threw stones at each other and Chinese troops even attacked Indian soldiers with rods and nail-studded clubs during the brawl that went on for over six hours.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing, ¡°What¡¯s shocking is that on June 15, the Indian side severely violated our consensus and twice crossed the border line and provoked and attacked the Chinese forces, causing a violent physical confrontation between the two border forces. China is raising strong opposition and stern representations to the Indian side on this.¡±
China, through its military action at Galwan in Ladakh, which resulted in three killed on the Indian side, has reportedly violated three key bilateral agreements -- 1993, 1996 and 2013 ¨C that have been central to maintaining peace and tranquility on the disputed Line of Actual Control. Until now, not a single soldier had been killed on either side of the LAC for over four decades.
20 Indian soldiers were martyred when violent clashes broke out between Chinese and Indian troops at the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh. The Chinese side too suffered heavy casualties.?
Also read:?Indian Army Releases Names Of All 20 Soldiers Martyred At Galwan Border Clash With China??
Earlier today, PM Narendra Modi warned that India will give a befitting response if instigated. ¡°I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our jawans will not go in vain. For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country are most important. India wants peace but it is capable to give a befitting reply if instigated. Let there be no doubt in anyone¡¯s mind in that respect,¡± PM said during a video conference with chief ministers.?