PM Modi arrives in Leh with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat; leads from the front in massive statement

In a huge development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Leh on Friday morning along with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat to take stock of the situation in Eastern Ladakh. Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane is accompanying them.

PM interacts with Army, Air Force and ITBP personnel

PM Modi is presently at one of the forward locations in Nimu. He reached there early on Friday, sources said. He is interacting with personnel of the Army, Air Force and ITBP. Located at 11,000 feet, this is among the tough terrains, surrounded by the Zanskar range and on the banks of the Indus. PM Modi is expected to visit a second forward area -- Thiksay -- to address the troops after which he will return to Dehi. Sources also informed that PM Modi will be visiting the Armed Forces' Hall of Fame in Leh.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi has called a meet of core minister back in Delhi. Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other PMO officials will attend the meeting, sources said.

ANI sources, on Thursday, had reported that CDS Rawat will be briefed by the 14 Corps officials. PM Modi's visit holds critical importance and comes as a massive statement following the martyrdom of 20 Indian Jawans in a clash with Chinese troops on the intervening night of June 15-16. The Prime Minister may meet soldiers injured in the clash with the Chinese PLA as well, sources said.

The Prime Minister's visit, which comes as an almost unforeseeable development, assumes massive significance on account of India being engaged in multifaceted tensions with China, leading the world in this regard as anti-China sentiment grows. Over the past few weeks, since the clash, India has taken the sheen of China's air of invincibility, by doing the following, at a minimum:

1. Going toe-to-toe with the Chinese PLA militarily

2. Blocking Chinese entities from investing in India under automatic FDA route

3. Bolstering 123 nations' effort to probe China over Covid's origin

4. Putting a full-stop to Chinese land-grabs, emboldening others

5. Banning Chinese apps and teaching China that protectionism isn't a one-way street

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Third senior military commander-level talks

As per sources, a third meeting between Indian and Chinese senior military commanders at Chushul on June 30 was held in a businesslike manner in view of the COVID-19 protocols. This was the third senior military commander level engagement to discuss issues pertaining to disengagement at the faceoff sites along the LAC. Sources revealed that both sides stressed that the priority was on an expeditious, phased, and stepwise de-escalation. The third round of talks between the senior military commanders reflected the commitment of both sides to reduce the tensions along the LAC, sources added. India and China shall hold more meetings at the diplomatic and military level to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution and to ensure peace along the LAC as per bilateral agreements.

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(This is a developing story. More updates here)