'Expect China to ensure the expeditious restoration of peace along the LAC': MEA

Amid standoff at LAC, Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday reiterated that China should ensure expeditious restoration of peace in border areas as per bilateral agreements and protocols. Addressing a press briefing, MEA official spokesperson Anurag Srivastava mentioned that senior commanders of both sides met on June 6, 22, and 30 to address present situation. He also ted that a meeting of  Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held on June 24. 

Srivastava observed that June 30 meeting was third senior military commander level engment to discuss issues related to disengment at faceoff sites along LAC and de-escalation from border areas. Both sides stressed that priority was on an expeditious, phased, and stepwise de-escalation. This was on lines of June 17 conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi where y maintained that situation would be handled in a responsible manner. MEA official spokesperson revealed that India and China shall hold more meetings at diplomatic and military level to resolve issues to mutual satisfaction. 

Read: China Ties Kt Around US Media Outlets; Says Will Continue 'reciprocal Retaliation'

Read: 'India Continuing To Show It Won't Back Down From China's Aggression': Nikki Haley

LAC faceoff

20 Indian Army soldiers including a Commanding Officer were martyred when a violent faceoff took place on June 15 when de-escalation process was underway in  Galwan Valley. As per Editor-in-Chief of Chinese newspaper Global Times, Chinese side also suffered casualties during physical clash. On June 18, Indian Army revealed that a total of 76 personnel had been injured out of which 18 admitted to Leh hospital can resume duty in about 15 days.

As per Army,  remaining 58 soldiers should be back on duty within a week's time. Earlier in day, Jaishankar met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at his South Block office. Senior officials from both ministries also participated in meeting.

Read: Clearing Up Misconceptions: Enhancing India-China People-to-people Understanding