A meeting held between
divisional commanders of Indian and Chinese armies near the site of the violent
clash in Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh ended in a stalemate on Wednesday,
military sources said.
The
major general-level meeting discussed ways to implement the disengagement of
troops from Galwan Valley as agreed during high-level military talks between
the two sides on June 6.
The Indian delegation at the talks was led by Leh-based 3
Infantry Division commander Major General Abhijit Bapat. The two sides
held Major General-level talks on Tuesday as well.
"Both sides raised the
issue of the violent clash. Indian side pressed for speedy disengagement of
troops in the area. However, there was no breakthrough," said a source.
A Colonel and 19 other
Indian Army personnel were killed in the violent clash on Monday evening during
which the Chinese soldiers attacked Indian troops with stones, nail-studded
sticks and iron rods.
Sending a strong message to
China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India wants peace but is
capable of giving a befitting reply if instigated.
The clash in Galwan Valley
on Monday night is the biggest confrontation between the two militaries after
their clash in Nathu La in 1967 when India lost around 80 soldiers while over
300 Chinese army personnel were killed in the confrontation.
The two armies were engaged
in a standoff in Galwan and several other areas of eastern Ladakh since May 5
when the two sides clashed on the bank of the Pangong Tso.
After the standoff began,
the Indian military leadership decided that Indian troops will adopt a firm
approach in dealing with the aggressive posturing by the Chinese troops in all
disputed areas of Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok and Daulat Beg Oldie.
The Chinese Army has been
gradually ramping up its strategic reserves in its rear bases near the LAC by
rushing in artillery guns, infantry combat vehicles and heavy military
equipment.
The trigger for the
face-off was China's stiff opposition to India laying a key road in the Finger
area around the Pangong Tso Lake besides construction of another road
connecting the Darbuk-Shayok-Daulat Beg Oldie road in Galwan Valley.
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