China on the backfoot on PM Modi's Leh visit, says 'talks are on' in first response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached Leh where he interacted with personnel of Army, Air Force and ITBP. PM Modi's visit comes days after a violent face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in East Lakh. Spooked by PM Modi's assertion of India's sovereignty in face of China's attempted land-grab, China in its first response said that both countries are in communication and negotiations on lowering temperatures through military and diplomatic channels are ongoing.

' party should eng in any action...'

Zhao Lijian, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, at a briefing said, "India and China are in communication and negotiations on lowering temperatures through military and diplomatic channels. party should eng in any action that may escalate situation at this point." 

Speaking on 59-Chinese linked apps banned by India on June 29, Lijian said that some politicians in India have been issuing remarks, ding, "We will take measures to uplo interests of Chinese businesses." Chinese spokesperson also said that New Delhi should w have "miscalculations" about Beijing.

PM Modi les from front

PM Modi, accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief MM Naravane, reached Leh around 9.30 am, sources said. He visited one of forward locations in Nimu where he interacted with personnel of Army, Air Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Prime Minister was also briefed by senior Army officers. Located at 11,000 feet, Nimu is among toughest terrains, on banks of river Indus and surrounded by Zanskar range.

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 visor Ajit Doval and or PMO officials will attend meeting, sources said.

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

1. Going toe-to-toe with 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 ors

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

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