In his first address following the clashes, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that New Delhi has tried to make sure "differences should not become a dispute" but no compromise will be made on the "sovereignty of the country".
"For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country are the most important...India wants peace but it is capable of giving a befitting reply if instigated", the prime minister stated.
Watch Live: PM Narendra Modi in conversation with the chief ministers of 15 states and union territories. https://t.co/MMc40rXxpC
— Prasar Bharati News Services (@PBNS_India) June 17, 2020
The statement comes hours after the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the situation on the border remains stable and under control following the recent clash with India.
"Both sides have been maintaining close communications through diplomatic and military channels. The overall border situation is stable and controllable," Zhao said during a press briefing.
The ministry also noted that China isn't the one to blame for the recent skirmish.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hold phone talks today to discuss the recent altercation between troops on the border.
"A phone conversation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar took place on June 17," the 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."
Yesterday, the Indian Army stated that 20 of its soldiers had died following clashes with the Chinese military in the Ladakh region on Monday night.
Beijing reacted to the fresh escalation by accusing the Indian military of crossing the border at the Galwan Valley and provoking clashes with Chinese forces. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged a protest and made representations to New Delhi.
Border tensions between India and China flared up in May, leaving dozens of soldiers injured on both sides.
On 6 June, Lt. Gen. Harinder Singh, the commander of the Indian Army's 14th corps, met with Maj. Gen. Lin Liu of China's People's Liberation Army in the South Xinjiang Military Region, to discuss the situation.
