Amid LAC faceoff, Chinese Defence Minister seeks meeting with Rajnath on sidelines of SCO

Amid standoff between two countries at LAC in eastern Lakh, Chinese Defence Minister has sought a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on sidelines of a key Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meet in Moscow. According to ANI sources,  Chinese side conveyed to Indian mission its keenness to have a meeting between two defence ministers.

India yet to respond to Chinese request

Indian side is yet to respond to Chinese request and re is official confirmation yet. Sources h earlier said that a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe during three-day event was t on Singh's schedule. India has urged China to sincerely eng with it to restore peace and tranquillity in border areas through complete disengment and de-escalation.

Tensions flared in eastern Lakh after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in Sourn Bank of Pangong lake four days back when two sides were engd in diplomatic and military talks to resolve festering border row. India occupied a number of strategic heights on sourn bank of Pangong lake and strengned its presence in Finger 2 and Finger 3 areas in region to thwart any Chinese actions. China has strongly objected to India's move.

'Talks only way forward for solution'

Meanwhile, India on Thursday said border tension in Lakh over past four months is a "direct result" of Chinese actions aimed at effecting unilateral change in status quo of region and asserted that only way forward to resolve it was through negotiations. At an online media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said Chinese actions resulted in "violation" of bilateral agreements and protocol which ensured peace and tranquillity in border areas for close to three deces.

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On first day of his visit to Lakh, Gen. Naravane visited a forward location and interacted with all top commanders tasked to oversee India's combat reiness in region.

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'India, Russia finalise AK-47 203 rifles deal'

India and Russia have finalised a major deal for manufacturing AK-47 203 rifles in India during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit here, official Russian media reported on Thursday.  AK-47 203 is latest and most vanced version of AK-47 rifle, which will replace Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56x45 mm assault rifle.

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Indian Army has a requirement for around 770,000 AK-47 203 rifles, of which 100,000 will be imported and rest will be manufactured in India, Russia's state-run Sputnik news ncy said.

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(With ncy inputs)