India-China Standoff: Rajnath Singh Chairs Meeting With Top Military Brass To Review Situation Along Ladakh LAC

Situation at the India-China border in Ladakh remains stiff at troops are in place from both the sides and there are at least three locations where there has been an eyeball-to-eyeball situation till May 5.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: On the backdrop of escalating border tensions and standoff with China in Ladakh, Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday chaired a high-end review meeting with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat and the three Services Chiefs. As per reports, this was the latest meeting in the series of consultations held over the past few weeks as India looks forward to explore its options to respond to the recent provocation by China at the border. Currently, both Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a face-off in eastern Ladakh at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). According to news agency IANS, the meeting went for about an hours where Singh was briefed about Indian response to the Chinese troops mobilisation. Reportedly, Rawat and Army chief expressed that Indian Army will hold its fort as talks to defuse the situation would continue in parallel. During the meeting, it was also decided that road constructions must continue and Indian fortifications and troop deployment must match those of the Chinese. Both Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army reportedly held several rounds of talks to resolve the standoff in Ladakh, but no breakthrough has been found so far. ALSO WATCH | India To Continue Construction Work At Border Amid Standoff With China Media reports also stated that a meeting took place even on Sunday, but several issues regarding the border dispute remains unresolved and more commander-level talks are likely to take place in the days to come. Sources close to IANS said that so far there have been five rounds of talks between military commanders on the ground without much progress. A top Indian Army officer told the news agency: "No breakthrough. Status quo is maintained." He said the situation will be resolved, but Indian Army will continue with its construction work along Line of Actual Control. Situation at the India-China border in Ladakh remains stiff at troops are in place from both the sides and there are at least three locations where there has been an eyeball-to-eyeball situation till May 5. Reportedly, both India and China have deployed over 1,000 troops at four locations along the LAC. ALSO WATCH | Ladakh: Satellite Photos Expose China's Troop Buildup In Galwan Valley Indian Army is keeping a strict vigil on areas such as Pangong Tso sector of eastern Ladakh, Galwan Valley region, Demchok and Chumar in Ladakh which form western sector of the India-China frontier where the Chinese have enhanced their deployment. It all started on May 5 when disengagement took place between Indian and Chinese troops after they came to blows and involved in a face-off leaving several injured from both the sides. The face-offs took place after the Chinese side objected to Indian road construction and development work. Indian Army, however, has maintained that there is no continuation of face-off at the Pangong lake and that there is no build-up of armed troops in the area.