Manali-Leh highway partially reopened for traffic after more than 5 months

 A notification by Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that the traffic would be allowed on the Manali-Leh beyond Darcha towards Leh via Baralacha Pass every day till 1 p.m

The highway that connects Manali in Himachal Pradesh with Leh has been partially reopened for traffic after remaining shut for more than five months owing to heavy snow, an official said on Monday. “The traffic between Manali and Leh has been restored for light vehicles. However, the movement of two-wheelers and trucks would be allowed later when the road be found fit,” an official from the 38 Task Force of the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) told IANS.

GREF is a wing of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) that maintains crucial highways in the country. He said work to repair the entire 475-km stretch is on. A notification by Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that the traffic would be allowed on the Manali-Leh beyond Darcha towards Leh via Baralacha Pass every day till 1 p.m…Read More

Indian soldiers tells Chinese troops to stop incursion, put up barbed wires

Indian soldiers have set up barbed wire obstacles at points where Chinese troops have come a few metres away from their positions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh

Indian soldiers have set up barbed wire obstacles at points where Chinese troops have come a few metres away from their positions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. India has warned against attempts to enter its territory as Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops, armed with medieval-type weapons, have been making multiple attempts to take over Indian-held positions.

Apart from setting obstacles to avoid further escalation at the LAC and dissuade the Chinese side from provocative and aggressive movements, India has also warned it will retaliate if Chinese troops continue to make incursion attempts.

India’s clear message was given when Indian and Chinese military representatives met on Wednesday to amicably de-escalate tension at the LAC in eastern Ladakh, sources said. The meeting, however, remained “inconclusive” and the talks will continue.PLA troops had made an attempt to dislodge Indian soldiers from their positions at the LAC on Monday and warning shots were also fired.

Sources also said that India clearly stated during Wednesday’s meeting that if Chinese troops would carry out provocative military movements, Indian soldiers will retaliate. India had found that China started fresh build up at the finger area north of Pangong Tso (lake). The deployments of PLA troops have increased since Tuesday evening. They are also bringing in more material and logistics items…Read More

China not de-escalating situation on LAC, continues to deploy 40,000 troops

The Chinese are also not honouring their commitment for disengagement at the friction points in Eastern Ladakh and not moving back as per the agreed terms

Currrent Affairs: It seems that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is not in a mood to de-escalate the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as it has continued deployment of around 40,000 troops in its front and depth areas for the Eastern Ladakh sector.

The Chinese are also not honouring their commitment for disengagement at the friction points in Eastern Ladakh and not moving back as per the agreed terms during the multiple rounds of talks at the government and Army level and intervention at the senior level like the one done by the National Security Advisor couple of weeks ago would be required for further progress, the sources said.

“The Chinese have not shown any signs of de-escalation as they continue to maintain their heavy troop deployment of almost 40,000 troops supported by heavy weaponry like air defence systems, armoured personnel carriers and long-range artillery in front and depth areas,” sources said. The disengagement process has also not made any progress since the last round of talks between the two Corps Commanders held last week and ground positions have also not changed, the sources said.

India China row: P-8I aircraft deployed in Ladakh; MiG-29Ks to be moved

At present, the Navy has a fleet of around 40 MiG-29K jets and at least 18 of them are deployed on board the country’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya

The Indian Navy’s Poseidon 8I anti-submarine warfare aircraft have been deployed in eastern Ladakh to carry out surveillance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and some of its MiG-29K jets are likely to be stationed in key IAF bases in the northern sector amid the border row with China, sources said on Tuesday. The sources said the military brass is considering deploying Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighter jets in a couple of air bases in the northern sector as part of efforts to bring in tri-services synergy in dealing with national security challenges.

The maritime fighter jets will complement the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) efforts to significantly boost deep strikes and air dominance capabilities, they said At present, the Navy has a fleet of around 40 MiG-29K jets and at least 18 of them are deployed on board the country’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The IAF has already positioned almost all its frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi 30 MKI, Jaguar and Mirage 2000 aircraft in the key frontier air bases in eastern Ladakh and elsewhere along the LAC, a move that came against the backdrop of the border row with China. Diplomatic and military talks between China and India are continuing for complete disengagement of troops from a number of friction points in eastern Ladakh.

Ladakh: Govt says 'intricate' discussions on disengagement continue

The Indian statement was silent on New Delhi's demand for China to ensure a reversion to the "status quo ante" of April, before PLA crossed the LAC at six points in Eastern Ladakh

After a 14-hour meeting in Ladakh between Chinese and Indian military commanders on Tuesday, the government said the two sides continue to discuss ways to disengage their troops that continue to face off in several locations. “The two sides remain committed to the objective of complete disengagement. This process is intricate and requires constant verification. They are taking it forward through regular meetings at diplomatic and military level,” said a ministry of defence (MoD) statement.

Sources close to the government admit there was no breakthrough in Tuesday’s fourth round of talks between India’s corps commander in Leh, Lieutenant General Harinder Singh and China’s commander of the South Xinjiang Military Region, Major General Liu Lin. “The Senior Commanders reviewed the progress on implementation of the first phase of disengagement and discussed further steps to ensure complete disengagement,” stated the MoD.

Tellingly, the defence ministry was silent on New Delhi’s demand for China to ensure a reversion to the “status quo ante” of April, before troops of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at six points in Eastern Ladakh...Read More

China sees India's ban on apps as 'discriminatory', calls for reversal

Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng said that China has not taken any restrictive measures against Indian products and services

Days after India banned 59 Chinese apps for engaging in activities "prejudicial" to the sovereignty and integrity of the country, Beijing on Thursday issued a predictable reaction, describing New Delhi's actions as "discriminatory" while calling for the reversal of the ban. India on Monday banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including the hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser, for engaging in "activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order". The ban also comes in the backdrop of the current stand-off along the Line of Actual control in eastern Ladakh with Chinese troops.
Responding to reports that both countries are strengthening import regulations and suppressing each other's export goods amid the tense border situation and its impact on China's foreign trade enterprises exports to India, Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng said that China has not taken any restrictive measures against Indian products and services.

"First of all, I want to clarify that China has not taken any restrictive and discriminatory measures against Indian products and services, he said, according to the transcript posted on the ministry's website. India's practices violate relevant World Trade Organization rules," Gao said. The spokesman also expressed hope that India would immediately correct the discriminatory practices against China and Chinese enterprises.

Galwan Valley clash: China amassing troops at LAC since May, says MEA

Chinese actions led to rising tensions and face-off, says ministry

Current Affairs: In its most strident comments on the recent border clashes with China, India on Thursday blamed Beijing for “amassing a large contingent of troops and armaments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)” since early May. It said this has led India to take counter measures, which increased the tension in border areas. It warned China that a continuation of the situation would only vitiate the atmosphere for the development of the relationship. New Delhi accused Beijing of repeatedly flouting laid-down agreements and norms on handling border tensions.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in an online media briefing, said the Chinese amassing of troops and armaments along the LAC was at the heart of the recent face-offs between the ground troops of the two sides. The MEA said the Chinese actions led to the increase in tension in the region and also led to the violent face-off of June 15. As many as 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer, were killed and 76 injured. China has admitted to casualties, but is yet to disclose numbers.

The MEA said the Chinese side hindered India’s normal, traditional patrolling pattern in the Galwan Valley area from early May. While the resulting face-off was addressed by the ground commanders, according to the provisions of the bilateral agreements, the Chinese side sought to change the status quo in other areas of the western sector in mid-May….

Galwan clash: China talks peace but raises troop deployment by 30%

It said it would continue holding talks “for peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

A day after a 11-hour border meeting between senior military commanders of India and China, Beijing has welcomed an agreement to “cool down the situation”. It said it would continue holding talks “for peace and tranquillity” along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Describing the meeting, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson said: “This meeting showed that the two sides wish to control and alleviate the situation through dialogue and consultation.”

Beijing flatly rejected the contention of Union Minister General V K Singh (retired) that more than 40 Chinese soldiers had been killed in the Ladakh face-off. “I can tell you for sure this is fake news,” said the MFA spokesperson. Accompanying Beijing’s talk of “dialogue and consultation”, however, is a massive Chinese troop build-up along the border in Ladakh.

Since the June 15 clash, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has inducted large numbers of troops, armoured vehicles, and artillery along the LAC – from Depsang and Galwan in northern Ladakh to Hot Springs, Pangong Tso, and Chushul in central Ladakh, to Demchok and Chumar in southern Ladakh, said a well-informed government source.

Army changes LAC combat rules after China clash: Key points in pictures

Sources said the government had asked the Army to adopt a different tactical approach in guarding the border – the LAC – with China

Use of firearms in face-offs

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After an incident of the violent face-off with China in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has changed its rules of engagement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) which would allow field commanders to order troops to use firearms under “extraordinary” circumstances.

Full freedom in dealing with situation

The sources said the armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any act of aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between the two countries. At the all-party meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the armed forces had been given a free hand to take all necessary steps.

Financial powers

In another development, sources said the defence ministry has extended the financial powers given to three vice service chiefs to purchase ammunition and weapons up to Rs 500 crore per acquisition.

‘Be fully prepared’

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday asked India’s top military brass to be “fully prepared” to take any unprecedented action at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China…Read More

Galwan Valley clash: 20 Indian soldiers killed in face-off with China

First deadly clash on the disputed border since four Assam Rifles jawans were ambushed and killed by Chinese border guards in October 1975.

In a steep escalation of the ongoing Sino-Indian border face-off in eastern Ladakh, soldiers of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) attacked and killed 20 Indian soldiers, including a colonel, on Monday night.This is the first deadly clash on the 3,488-kilometre disputed border since four Assam Rifles jawans were ambushed and killed by Chinese border guards in October 1975.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, the army said: “During the de-escalation process underway in the Galwan Valley, a violent face-off took place yesterday (Monday) night with casualties on both sides. The loss of lives on the Indian side includes an officer and two soldiers. Senior military officials of the two sides are currently meeting at the venue to defuse the situation.”

ALSO READ: Face-off in Ladakh result of China’s attempt to change status quo: MEA

Late on Tuesday evening, another statement from the army said: “17 Indian troops who were critically injured in the line of duty at the stand-off location and exposed to sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude terrain have succumbed to their injuries, taking the total of those killed in action to 20.”

The statement also said: “Indian and Chinese troops have disengaged at the Galwan area where they had earlier clashed on the night of 15/16 June 2020.” There were unconfirmed reports that five PLA soldiers were also killed in the clash. Senior officers recounted extreme Chinese brutality to the Indian prisoners, with some of them being pushed over cliffs and soldiers’ bodies being recovered from the Galwan River.

China's Great Wall Motor commits Rs 7,600 crore investment in India

The company has committed an investment of $1 billion (about Rs 7,600 crore) in India in a phased manner with an estimated employment for over 3,000 people

Chinese auto major Great Wall Motor (GWM) on Tuesday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Maharashtra government for its manufacturing facility in the state which it had acquired from General Motors (GM). The company has committed an investment of $1 billion (about Rs 7,600 crore) in India in a phased manner with an estimated employment for over 3,000 people. “This would be a highly automated plant in Talegaon (near Pune) with advanced robotics technology integrated in many of the production processes,” Parker Shi, managing director of Indian subsidiary of GWM, said.

“Overall we are committed to $1 billion of investment in India in a phased manner, which is directed towards manufacturing world class intelligent and premium products, R&D centre, building supply chain and providing jobs to over 3,000 people in a phased manner,” he added. In January this year, GWM had signed an agreement to acquire the plant from GM. The factory has facilities like logistics distribution centre, training centre, project management building, administrative office building and public facilities centre. GMW will produce its EV and SUV models at the plant…Read More

Ladakh standoff: China, India reached positive consensus to ease situation

Indian and Chinese troops have been engaged since May 5 following a violent clash in Pangong Tso.

China said on Wednesday that Indian and Chinese troops have started implementing the “positive consensus” reached by senior military officials of the two countries on June 6 aimed at “easing” the situation along the borders.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s remarks came a day after officials in New Delhi suggested that armies of India and China have undertaken a “limited disengagement” in few areas in eastern Ladakh in a demonstration of their intent to end the border standoff peacefully ahead of another round of military talks on Wednesday.

Asked about the reports of the troops on both sides disengaging and moving back to their previous positions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here that both sides are taking steps to ease the situation along the borders. “Recently the diplomatic and military channels of China and India held effective communication on the situation along the border and reached positive consensus,” she said.

ALSO READ: Deinduct 10,000 troops, heavy weapons deployed along LAC: India to China

“The two sides are following this consensus to take actions to ease the situation along the borders,” the spokesperson said. Military sources in New Delhi said the two armies have begun “disengagement” around patrolling points 14 and 15 in Galwan Valley and another in the Hot Spring area, adding the Chinese side has even moved back up to 1.5 km in two areas…Read More

R K Mathur sworn-in as the first Lt Governor of Union Territory of Ladakh

The oath of office was administered by chief justice of Jammu and Kashmir high court Geeta Mittal at a simple function held at Leh.

Former defence secretary R K Mathur was on Thursday sworn-in as the first Lt Governor of strategically located Union Territory of Ladakh, which came into existence after the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mathur, who will be turning 66 later this month, was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Gita Mittal at a function held at Sindhu Sanskriti auditorium at Tisuru. The warrant of appointment was read by a senior official at the function after which the oath ceremony took place.

Mathur, an IAS officer of 1977 batch from Tripura, later inspected a guard of honour of local police. A post graduate in Industrial Engineering from IIT, R.K Mathur retired as Defence Secretary in 2015 and was appointed as Chief Information Commissioner in December the same year. He completed his tenure in November last year after attaining the age of 65 years. Ahead of the swearing-in, the Union Home Ministry revoked notification of December last year of imposition of President’s rule in the undivided Jammu and Kashmir.

The Centre on Wednesday night appointed Umang Narula, an IAS officer of 1989 batch, as advisor to Mathur besides posting S S Khandare, an IPS officer of 1995 batch, as ‘Head of Police’ in Ladakh. With a population of nearly three lakh, Ladakh is strategically located as it shares borders with Pakistan as well as China.

Article 370 provisions scrapped: J&K, Ladakh may get share of central funds

The official added that it isn’t immediately clear if the 15th Finance Commission will be given additional terms of reference or more time to adjust

As a direct result of the Narendra Modi government’s decision to turn Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh into two separate union territories, the Fifteenth Finance Commission (FFC) is likely to allocate sums from the divisible tax pool to 28 states, instead of 29. The allocations for the two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are expected to come out of the Centre’s liabilities, Business Standard has learnt.

“It now becomes 28 states instead of 29, and according to the standard practice and the Terms of Reference, the requirements of union territories have to be counted as part of liabilities of the Centre. The devolution of the tax pool will have to be recalculated from 29 states to 28,” said an official aware of the working of the FFC.

The official added that it isn’t immediately clear if the FFC will be given additional terms of reference or more time to adjust for the conversion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to two separate union territories. All this is of course subject to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill being passed in Rajya Sabha (will change once passed) and it withstanding any challenge in the Supreme Court.

As reported earlier, FFC Chairman N K Singh has ruled out including UTs with legislative bodies, like Delhi and Puducherry, in the divisible tax-pool in-line with other states, even after getting representations to do so. “We are not formally considering the memorandum of Puducherry and Delhi because under the Constitution, we are not enjoined to do so, and we have to strictly act in accordance with the Constitution,” Singh had told Business Standard in an interaction earlier this month…