Live Updates: China Calls on India to Investigate Border Incident, Stop Provocations

The Indian army, while issuing a "war like" alert, has deployed over 15,000 troops with equipment in forward areas of the contested Ladakh region, according to government sources.

A similar move was made in areas from Uttarakhand to Arunachal Pradesh, as Sputnik reported that the Army is preparing for any contingency, including an intense and extended fight.

The decision comes after a series of meetings took place in Delhi on Wednesday, with the last such meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi late night.

In response to a query on a statement by the Chinese side that the sovereignty of the Galvan valley area belongs to China, an official spokesperson of the Indian foreign ministry, Anurag Srivastava said: 

"We have conveyed earlier today with the External Affairs Minister and the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China and had a phone conversation on recent developments in Ladakh. Both sides have agreed that the overall situation should be handled in a responsible manner and that the understandings reached between senior commanders on 6 June should be implemented sincerely. Making exaggerated and untenable claims is contrary to this understanding."

#BREAKING: White House on India-China face off: ‘The President is aware of it. We are monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along LAC. We have seen Indian Army statement that 20 soldiers died. We extend deepest condolences.’ Says, no formal plan on mediation. pic.twitter.com/2KvYpA4iGO

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 17, 2020

India's state-owned BSNL will not use Chinese equipment for the upgradation of 4G equipment as the country’s Telecom Department has advised against it, a high-ranking official in the department said. Sources say that no Chinese companies will be taken in the reworked tender.

European Union Encourages India and China to show restraint and to engage in military de-escalation Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the recent developments#Ladakh #IndiaChinaFaceOff pic.twitter.com/SPyMklYtI2

— Rishikesh Kumar (@rishhikesh) June 17, 2020

Delhi police detains @IYC president Mr @srinivasiyc

Youth Congress members were holding a peaceful protest & candle light march in front of Chinese embassy in Delhi... pic.twitter.com/jyeJ4uuouj

— Supriya Bhardwaj (@Supriya23bh) June 17, 2020

.@Allavaru and @srinivasiyc lead the protest of @IYC outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi. pic.twitter.com/LwwGfC3vz8

— Saral Patel (@SaralPatel) June 17, 2020

General MM Naravane #COAS & all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of our valiant soldiers at #Galwan. We offer deepest condolences to the families & stand strong in our resolve towards protecting the sovereignty & integrity of our country. Their sacrifices will not go in vain. pic.twitter.com/SC3zYL75c1

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 17, 2020

I pay my respects to Punjab’s martyrs Nb Sub Mandip Singh & Satnam Singh & Sep Gurbinder Singh & Gurtej Singh who laid down their lives in Ladakh clash with China. May Waheguru grant strength to their families. Ex-gratia grants & a job to next to kin will be given by State Govt. pic.twitter.com/ECwkw4HwAe

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) June 17, 2020

As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, I bow to the exemplary courage and supreme sacrifice of our soldiers to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 17, 2020

"Clearly these are concerning reports. We encourage China and India to engage in dialogue on issues relating to the border – violence is in no one’s interest", a British High Commission spokesperson said. 

Australian Envoy @AusHCIndia on India-China altercation: We have reason, unfortunately, to worry that Beijing is not as committed to peace, stability and prosperity as we are. pic.twitter.com/Eq2QVXSRtH

— Aakriti Sharma (@_aakritisharma) June 17, 2020

"The loss of soldiers in Galwan is deeply disturbing and painful. Our soldiers displayed exemplary courage and valour in the line of duty and sacrificed their lives in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. The Nation will never forget their bravery and sacrifice. My heart goes out to the families of the fallen soldiers. The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this difficult hour. We are proud of the bravery and courage of India’s brave hearts", Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Twitter.

The Indian military said earlier that three soldiers had died in scuffles in the northern Ladakh region on Monday night. The unmarked border has been the source of tensions between the two regional powers for decades. On Tuesday, the Indian army said that 17 servicemen later died of the injuries they received in clashes with Chinese soldiers. As many as 43 Chinese servicemen were reportedly killed and injured in the clashes.

"Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the violence and casualties. It (China's action) reflected an intent to change the facts on the ground in violation of all our agreements to not change the status quo", the Indian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on a phone conversation between S Jaishankar and Wang Yi.

According to the statement, "troops of both sides should also abide by the bilateral agreements and protocols. They should strictly respect and observe the line of actual control and should not take any unilateral action to alter it".

"Clearly these are concerning reports. We encourage China and India to engage in dialogue on issues relating to the border – violence is in no-one’s interest", a British High Commission representative in New Delhi said.

"A phone conversation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar took place on 17 June", the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

The Chinese foreign minister said that "the risky actions of the Indian military were a serious violation of the agreements reached by the sides on the border issue, as well as a serious breach of the norms of international relations", adding that "China expresses strong protest to India".

China is demanding that India investigate the altercation on the border, punish the guilty, stop all provocations, and avoid any such incidents in the future, Wang Yi said.

According to Beijing, the two sides agreed to find a fair solution to the situation on the border.

"India-Russia-China trilateral meeting of foreign ministers, which was scheduled to be held via video conferencing on 23 June, has been postponed", the sources said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the talks would be held in the coming days. He also said that the India-China tensions were not on the agenda.

Sources in the Indian Army told Sputnik on Wednesday that all leaves for the personnel were cancelled and a high alert was declared along the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the country and China after the deadly clash.

"Amid India-China face off along the border in Eastern Ladakh, Indian Army cancels all leaves of Indian Army personnel. There is high alert along all LAC", the sources said.