Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called a meeting of all political parties in India to discuss the situation along the India-China border in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.
The chiefs of various political parties in India are expected to take part in the meeting which will be held virtually on Friday, 19 June at 5 p.m. local time.
In order to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister @narendramodi has called for an all-party meeting at 5 PM on 19th June. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 17, 2020
The decision comes after the opposition targeted the government for staying "silent" on the issue and keeping the "country in the dark".
Meanwhile, in his first response to the Indo-China border clash, Prime Minister Modi said that India will not compromise on the nation's sovereignty of and the sacrifice of the Indian soldiers will not be in vain.
Addressing the chief ministers of 15 states and union territories, Modi said, "We have worked with our neighbours and have tried to make sure that differences should not become a dispute, but there will be no compromise on the sovereignty of the country", the PM said, adding that India wants peace but it is capable of giving a "befitting reply if instigated".
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
Indian Prime Minister Modi held a series of meetings with the defence minister and other high level dignitaries and allowed the army to stock up war reserves, along with the deployment of assets wherever necessary.
According to army sources, 20 Indian soldiers have lost their lives and many are also feared to be held captive by the Chinese army after a month-long standoff on the border erupted into a unprecedented face-off, which took place when both countries were engaged in high-level talks to resolve the issue.
While New Delhi has maintained that China departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley - a loosely demarcated border agreed upon in 1993 - China accused India of crossing the LAC and violating the commitment made during army commander-level talks on 6 June.
