'Restore status quo at LAC': Rajnath Singh tells China at SCO meet in Moscow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called for restoration of status quo ante at all friction points in eastern Ladakh during sidelines of a key Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet with his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe in Moscow, This was  first highest-level face-to-face meeting between two sides since violent face-off erupted at LAC in June.

two and a half-hour-long talk that began around 9:30 pm (IST) at a prominent hotel in Moscow was focused on ways to resolve prolonged border standoff in Ladakh.

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar and Indian Ambassador to Russia DB Venkatesh Varma were part of Indian delegation at talks held after a request from Gen. Wei.

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Previously, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had held telephonic talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on border standoff. India strongly objected to PLA’s fresh attempts to change status quo in sourn bank of Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh and insisted on resolving conflict through talks.

Indian side of China to completely 'diseng and de-escalate' situation at LAC, as agreed to by two nations' Foreign Ministers.

READ | LAC Faceoff: India Affirms 'way Ahead Is Negotiations' After China's Renewed Incursions

Indian Army pre-empts Chinese attack

On August 31, Indian Army said that Chinese side carried out provocative military movements to change status quo on Aug 29-30. "Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on Sourn Bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengn our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground," official statement by Defence Ministry said. Moreover, Army has confirmed that re has been physical clash between Indian and Chinese troops near sourn bank of Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh, after which a Brigade Commander level Flag Meeting was held at Chushul.

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