China took pre-meditated action: Indian EAM Jaishankar tells Wang Yi on Galwan Valley standoff 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi over the phone and said Chinese side took 'pre-meditated and planned action' that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties.

"It reflected an intent to change the facts on ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement issued on the interaction between the top leaders of the two warring nations.

"EAM conveyed the protest of the Government of India in the strongest terms on the violent face-off in Galwan Valley on 15 June 2020," the statement said.

Jaishankar recalled that at the meeting of senior Military Commanders held on 6th June, an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

"Ground commanders were meeting regularly to implement this consensus throughout the last week. While there was some progress, the Chinese side sought to erect a structure in Galwan valley on our side of the LAC," read the statement.

Jaishankar underlined that this unprecedented development will have a serious impact on the bilateral relationship.

"The need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps," read the statement.

" The two sides should scrupulously and sincerely implement the understanding that was reached by the Senior Commanders on 6th June. Troops of both sides should also abide by the bilateral agreements and protocols," the MEA statement said.

" They should strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and should not take any unilateral action to alter it," read the statement.

Both the leaders agreed that the overall situation would be handled in a responsible manner.

"Both sides would implement the disengagement understanding of 6 June sincerely. Neither side would take any action to escalate matters and instead, ensure peace and tranquillity as per bilateral agreements and protocols," read the MEA statement.

PM Modi breaks silence:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday broke his silence on the violent standoff between India and Chinese soldiers which led to the death of 20 security personnel and said his nation wants peace but if instigated then the country has the capacity to give befitting reply.

In his strong message, Modi said the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers during the clash with Chinese troops at Galwan Valley in Ladakh would not go in vain.

"The sacrifice of our jawans will not be in vain," he said.

"India wants peace but if instigated then the country is capable of giving a fitting reply, be it any kind of situation," he said.

He said the country should be proud that the soldiers died fighting.

The Conflict:

At least 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel, were martyred during a "violent face-off" with Chinese forces along the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on Monday night, the Indian Army confirmed Tuesday.  

"Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at the Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on the night of 15/16 June 2020.

"17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total that were killed in action to 20," the Indian Army said in a statement.