The Prime Minister’s Office today said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called an all-party meeting on Friday to discuss the situation at the India-China border after clashes in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers laid down their lives.
Presidents of various political parties will participate in the meeting at 5 pm on Friday via video conferencing.
Meanwhile the media has reported that up to 45 Chinese soldiers have been killed or injured in the fight at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh. There were “casualties on both sides”.
After confirming the death of three soldiers, including a Colonel, on Tuesday morning, the army added that 17 more critically injured soldiers were “exposed to sub-zero temperatures” and died of their injuries.
The army has said Indian and Chinese troops “have disengaged” in the area. China also said Wednesday it wanted to avoid more clashes. “We of course don’t wish to see more clashes,” foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference, while urging India to avoid “provocative gestures” that could complicate the border situation.