The Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has paid homage to the 20 Indian soldiers who died in the Galwan incident during his address to the joint session of the Indian Parliament.

Pointing out to the "efforts made to disrupt the peace at LAC" which was done in the "utter disregard of bilateral relations and agreements" the President said, "twenty of our jawans made the supreme sacrifice and laid down their lives defending the country at Galwan Valley. Every citizen is deeply indebted to these martyrs."

In June of last year, the Chinese forces in an act of aggression tried to occupy the Galwan valley. During the act, while India lost 20 of its soldiers, China also suffered casualties but never came up with figures. 
 
The incident was a major setback to ties between the 2 countries, and since then despite multiple rounds of talks, China has refused to disengage from the region. &nbsp;

President said, "our security forces not only responded" with "promptitude, force and courage but also foiled all attempts to change the status quo at the border" and the "restraint, valour and courage displayed by our jawans, deserve utmost praise."

The soldiers who died were honoured with Gallantry awards posthumously earlier this week. The commanding officer of 16 Bihar regiment, Late Colonel B Santosh Babu was honoured with Maha Vir Chakra, the 2nd highest military award, while other soldiers who died were honoured with Vir Chakras, Sena Medals.

The President in the address which marks the beginning of the Budget session of the Parliament said, "My Government is vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding the interests of the country" and "additional forces have also been deployed at the LAC to protect the sovereignty of India."

The speech of the President is an important tradition of the Indian Parliament and is a policy statement of the government. The address saw President Kovind mentioning India's covid vaccine out-reach, BRICS presidency this year, and 2-year term at the United Nations Security Council.

He said, "Living up to the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam’, India has, in addition to fulfilling its domestic requirements, supplied essential medicines to more than 150 countries. India is committed to ensuring the availability of vaccine at the global level."

India's mega repatriation mission--Vande Bharat Mission’ and diplomacy amid the covid crisis was also mentioned. President elaborated, "It is a matter of pride for the country that ‘Vande Bharat Mission’, which is the biggest mission of its kind organized anywhere in the world, is being hailed universally."

Adding, “During this period, India has further bolstered international cooperation by holding a large number of apex summits, multilateral events and official meetings"

Under the mission, about 50 lakh Indians were brought back from various parts of the world and more than 1 lakh foreign nationals were sent to their respective countries. During the Pandemic, Indian PM had virtual summits with several countries--Australia, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh etc, and the External Affairs Minister also had such meetings with his many counterparts.

The Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has paid homage to the 20 Indian soldiers who died in the Galwan incident during his address to the joint session of the Indian Parliament.

The Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has paid homage to the 20 Indian soldiers who died in the Galwan incident during his address to the joint session of the Indian Parliament. Pointing out to the "efforts made to disrupt the peace at LAC" which was done in the "utter disregard of bilateral relations and agreements" the President said, "twenty of our jawans made the supreme sacrifice and laid down their lives defending the country at Galwan Valley. Every citizen is deeply indebted to these martyrs." In June of last year, the Chinese forces in an act of aggression tried to occupy the Galwan valley. During the act, while India lost 20 of its soldiers, China also suffered casualties but never came up with figures. The incident was a major setback to ties between the 2 countries, and since then despite multiple rounds of talks, China has refused to disengage from the region. President said, "our security forces not only responded" with "promptitude, force and courage but also foiled all attempts to change the status quo at the border" and the "restraint, valour and courage displayed by our jawans, deserve utmost praise." The soldiers who died were honoured with Gallantry awards posthumously earlier this week. The commanding officer of 16 Bihar regiment, Late Colonel B Santosh Babu was honoured with Maha Vir Chakra, the 2nd highest military award, while other soldiers who died were honoured with Vir Chakras, Sena Medals. The President in the address which marks the beginning of the Budget session of the Parliament said, "My Government is vigilant and fully committed to safeguarding the interests of the country" and "additional forces have also been deployed at the LAC to protect the sovereignty of India." The speech of the President is an important tradition of the Indian Parliament and is a policy statement of the government. The address saw President Kovind mentioning India's covid vaccine out-reach, BRICS presidency this year, and 2-year term at the United Nations Security Council. He said, "Living up to the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam’, India has, in addition to fulfilling its domestic requirements, supplied essential medicines to more than 150 countries. India is committed to ensuring the availability of vaccine at the global level." India's mega repatriation mission--Vande Bharat Mission’ and diplomacy amid the covid crisis was also mentioned. President elaborated, "It is a matter of pride for the country that ‘Vande Bharat Mission’, which is the biggest mission of its kind organized anywhere in the world, is being hailed universally." Adding, “During this period, India has further bolstered international cooperation by holding a large number of apex summits, multilateral events and official meetings" Under the mission, about 50 lakh Indians were brought back from various parts of the world and more than 1 lakh foreign nationals were sent to their respective countries. During the Pandemic, Indian PM had virtual summits with several countries--Australia, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh etc, and the External Affairs Minister also had such meetings with his many counterparts.

In an address to parliament, President pays homage to brave hearts of Galwan, highlights vaccine exports

7 months after the clashes at Galwan, Indian and Chinese troops have clashed again. Both sides have held 9 rounds of talks. But China is yet to commit to a complete withdrawal of troops. WION's Palki Sharma tells you where the relationship stands today.

Gravitas: After 7 months and 9 rounds of talks, China yet to commit to a full withdrawal

Colonel B Santosh Babu, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Army regiment and among the 20 soldiers killed in the line of duty during the clash with Chinese troops in Galwan Valley, has been honoured with India's second-highest wartime gallantry honour, the Maha Vir Chakra.

India honours Galwan brave with the Maha Vir Chakra

A team from the WHO tasked with investigating the origins of the Coronavirus did not travel to Wuhan. Meanwhile, a photo of a grave - allegedly of a Chinese solider killed during the Galwan face-off is spreading on the Chinese internet. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: W.H.O. team failed to visit Wuhan during China trip

Over two&nbsp;months after Galwan incident, India on Thursday called for reciprocal action on disengagement while China said progress has been made by troops on the ground at the Line of actual control or LAC.&nbsp;

The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in his weekly presser while reiterating that "complete disengagement requires re-deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC" said, “It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions and...important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides"

Last week the 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation &amp; Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) took place during which focus remained on disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. Just not at the diplomatic level, at the military level also both sides are in touch.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Chinese defence ministry Senior Colonel Wu Qian claimed "progress has been made" on disengagement by frontline troops and "maintaining peace and stability in the border area is not only conducive to both sides' respective development, but also to regional and world peace and stability."

Indian Govt sources, when asked about the "progress" as claimed by Chinese, said, no fresh disengagement has happened by the Chinese side on the ground.

While several areas including the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh has seen disengagement, Chinese forces are maintaining positions from finger 5 to finger 8 areas of Pangong Lake.

And even as both sides engage, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar in an interview recently said any solution "must be predicated on honouring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally”.

Over two months after Galwan incident, India on Thursday called for reciprocal action on disengagement while China said progress has been made by troops on the ground at the Line of actual control or LAC.

Over two months after Galwan incident, India on Thursday called for reciprocal action on disengagement while China said progress has been made by troops on the ground at the Line of actual control or LAC. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Shrivastava in his weekly presser while reiterating that "complete disengagement requires re-deployment of troops by each side towards their regular posts on their respective sides of the LAC" said, “It is natural that this can be done only through mutually agreed reciprocal actions and...important to bear in mind that achieving this requires agreed actions by both sides" Last week the 18th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) took place during which focus remained on disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. Just not at the diplomatic level, at the military level also both sides are in touch. Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Chinese defence ministry Senior Colonel Wu Qian claimed "progress has been made" on disengagement by frontline troops and "maintaining peace and stability in the border area is not only conducive to both sides' respective development, but also to regional and world peace and stability." Indian Govt sources, when asked about the "progress" as claimed by Chinese, said, no fresh disengagement has happened by the Chinese side on the ground. While several areas including the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh has seen disengagement, Chinese forces are maintaining positions from finger 5 to finger 8 areas of Pangong Lake. And even as both sides engage, India's external affairs minister S Jaishankar in an interview recently said any solution "must be predicated on honouring all agreements and understandings. And not attempting to alter the status quo unilaterally”.

India-China disengagement: India calls for reciprocal actions; China says progress made

The Ministry of Defence has officially acknowledged that Chinese soldiers intruded into Indian territory in eastern Ladakh in May.

'China's PLA intruded into Indian Territory in May' reveals MoD document

There are stunning similarities between the standoff at Ladakh and the Sino-Soviet border conflict of 1969. Is China's border provocation based on an old template? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you more.

Gravitas: How China provokes its neighbours & loses control of conflicts

During a visit to Ladakh, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said today that no one can touch an inch of India's land. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you where the disengagement process stands a month after the Galwan skirmish.

Gravitas: The India-China standoff: The latest on the disengagement process

In major signs of tensions easing at LAC the disengagement between India and China has been completed from the hot springs at the Galwan valley in Ladakh. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: PLA pulling back from finger area, India-China begins disengagement process

PM Modi paid a surprised visit to the injured jawans at the military hospital in Leh, where they were undergoing treatment since the ‘violent face-off’ in eastern Ladakh that left 20 jawans martyred. Now China has reacted to PM Modi's visit and said 'Hope India will follow Modi-Xi consensus'.

WION Dispatch: China reacts to PM Modi's Ladakh visit | India-China standoff

China reacts to PM Modi's Ladakh visit, Denies being 'expansionist'

Calling China's military aggression against India a threat, The United States is reviewing its global troop deployment. Meanwhile, The Global Times has spilled the beans on Chinese casualties in the border clash with India. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how the pressure on China and its military is building.

Gravitas: How Global Times punctured China's 'no causalities' claim

Air surveillance was increased on Ladakh LAC after India-China face-off. Watch this video to know more.

Air surveillance increased on Ladakh LAC after Galwan face-off

Amid tensions at the border, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination(WMCC) on India and China border affairs is set to hold a virtual meet to discuss border tensions between the two countries.

India, China to hold diplomatic talks today amid tensions along LAC

After widespread speculation that several Indian soldiers are in Chinese custody. The Indian Army has set the record straight confirming that all soldiers involved in the Galwan valley skirmish are accounted for.

India-China standoff | No Indian soldiers missing: All injured personnel stable

Galwan Valley is located at an altitude of almost 17,000 feet with extreme weather conditions and sub-zero temperatures. A valley that gets its name from the Galwan river - this 1960 claim line is the de facto of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the valley.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-the-galwan-valley-has-become-a-flashpoint-306642/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Galwan Valley falls under sub-sector north (SSN) and is one of the points that has direct access to Aksai Chin from India.

Galwan Valley has become a flashpoint in India-China conflict again because of India's construction in the area.

India is building a network of feeder roads which lead to the 224-km Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road which is at least 10 kilometers inside the (Line of Actual Control) LAC. Daulat Beg Oldi is the northern-most corner of the Indian territory of Ladakh. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-border-dispute-what-happened-in-nathu-la-in-1967-306590">Also Read:&nbsp;India-China border dispute: What happened in Nathu La in 1967</a>

It also houses the world's highest landing strip - the Daulat Beg Oldi landing strip. The Indian Air Force has successfully landed the C17 Globemaster aircraft here.

In case of a war or conflict, India can now ferry thousands of troops to the region within hours. China's fears intensified when India built a bridge, the Colonel Chewang Rinchen Setu, across the Shyok river. The idea was to facilitate Indian troop movement in the region.

Even before China could digest this, India began constructing another bridge across the Galwan Nullah. This concrete bridge is a part of the feeder road project and it replaces an existing wooden structure, to allow heavy military movement.

It was this bridge that triggered the latest standoff. A nervous China deployed its troops along the LAC to put pressure on India to stop road construction. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/35-chinese-soldiers-dead-in-galwan-valley-clash-us-intelligence-sources-306447">Also Read: 35 Chinese soldiers dead in Galwan Valley clash</a>

The Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road, the feeder roads and the landing strip have all cemented India's dominance in the region.

Now, China's biggest fear is India's recovery of Aksai Chin which was captured by China in 1962. The Galwan area was among the biggest flashpoints during the 1962 war too and it has become a flashpoint again.

India has a strategic advantage in the region and its borders are secured. India is stepping up infrastructure, on its own side of the border, and on its own land. The idea is to help Indian forces reach remote locations quickly and that is why China is protesting because its border transgressions are being challenged.

 
&nbsp;

Galwan Valley is located at an altitude of almost 17,000 feet with extreme weather conditions and sub-zero temperatures. A valley that gets its name from the Galwan river - this 1960 claim line is the de facto of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the valley.

Galwan Valley is located at an altitude of almost 17,000 feet with extreme weather conditions and sub-zero temperatures. A valley that gets its name from the Galwan river - this 1960 claim line is the de facto of Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the valley. The Galwan Valley falls under sub-sector north (SSN) and is one of the points that has direct access to Aksai Chin from India. Galwan Valley has become a flashpoint in India-China conflict again because of India's construction in the area. India is building a network of feeder roads which lead to the 224-km Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road which is at least 10 kilometers inside the (Line of Actual Control) LAC. Daulat Beg Oldi is the northern-most corner of the Indian territory of Ladakh. Also Read: India-China border dispute: What happened in Nathu La in 1967 It also houses the world's highest landing strip - the Daulat Beg Oldi landing strip. The Indian Air Force has successfully landed the C17 Globemaster aircraft here. In case of a war or conflict, India can now ferry thousands of troops to the region within hours. China's fears intensified when India built a bridge, the Colonel Chewang Rinchen Setu, across the Shyok river. The idea was to facilitate Indian troop movement in the region. Even before China could digest this, India began constructing another bridge across the Galwan Nullah. This concrete bridge is a part of the feeder road project and it replaces an existing wooden structure, to allow heavy military movement. It was this bridge that triggered the latest standoff. A nervous China deployed its troops along the LAC to put pressure on India to stop road construction. Also Read: 35 Chinese soldiers dead in Galwan Valley clash The Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi road, the feeder roads and the landing strip have all cemented India's dominance in the region. Now, China's biggest fear is India's recovery of Aksai Chin which was captured by China in 1962. The Galwan area was among the biggest flashpoints during the 1962 war too and it has become a flashpoint again. India has a strategic advantage in the region and its borders are secured. India is stepping up infrastructure, on its own side of the border, and on its own land. The idea is to help Indian forces reach remote locations quickly and that is why China is protesting because its border transgressions are being challenged.

Why Galwan Valley has become the flashpoint in India-China conflict once again?

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement on Tuesday on the clash between Indian and Chinese armies at Galwan Valley

LAC Stand-off: 'China unilaterally tried to change the status quo' says MEA

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar over the recent developments in Eastern Ladakh on Tuesday.

China asks India to not take unilateral actions over violent stand-off at Galwan Valley

An Army officer and two jawans were killed during a "violent stand-off" between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh on June 15. In a statement, the Indian Army said that the senior military officials of India and China are currently meeting to defuse the situation in the region

'Casualties suffered on both sides in violent face-off at Galwan valley' says Indian Army

Rajnath Singh Meets CDS, Service Chiefs, EAM over LAC developments

'In a major violent face-off between India and China at Galwan Valley, both the sides faced casualties' officially said by the Indian Army. There was no incident of firing took place at the ground zero also confirmed by the same sources. According to China 'Indian army invaded and crosses LAC twice yesterday and in retaliation Chinese PLA reacted'

'India crossed LAC twice on Monday, provoked & attacked Chinese personnel' says China

An Army officer and two jawans were killed during a "violent stand-off" between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh on June 15. In a statement, the Indian Army said that the senior military officials of India and China are currently meeting to defuse the situation in the region. Watch report.

India China standoff: Indian Army's press conference at 2 PM

A Colonel-rank officer and two soldiers of the Indian Army were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley area of Ladakh on June 15 night. The face-off took place during efforts to de-escalate the prevailing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Watch report.

Breaking News: Violent face off at India-China border | 3 casualties on Indian side

galwan

Galwan, News on Galwan, stories on Galwan, articles on Galwan, Galwan stories at Wion, Galwan news, Galwan latest news