The all-party meeting, called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation at the border areas with China is underway.
Reportedly, Congress President, Sonia Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are among the leaders participating in an all-party meeting.
Delhi: Prime Minister @narendramodi chairs all-party virtual meeting to discuss India-China border situation, at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg; 20 parties attend the meeting https://t.co/76rsvYDdtJ pic.twitter.com/1uGgy1nUs9
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) June 19, 2020
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Lalu Yadav’s RJD were excluded from the meeting.
“We stand with the country and our security forces. Strict action should be taken against China,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
Asaduddin Owaisi wrote a letter to PM Modi about the growing concerns regarding Chinese incursions into Indian territory. We’ve lost 20 brave personnel besides our territory to Chinese occupation.
The meeting was called after at least 20 Indian Army personnel, including a Colonel rank officer, had lost their lives in the violent face-off with Chinese troops in the Galwan valley area of Ladakh on June 15.
Wrote to @PMOIndia about the growing concerns regarding Chinese incursions into Indian territory. We’ve lost 20 brave personnel besides our territory to Chinese occupation.
Recovering this territory by any means necessary is the best way to avenge the killings of our men pic.twitter.com/8GlIMxZQ9l
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 19, 2020
India had said that the violent face-off happened in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley as a result of an attempt by the Chinese troops to “unilaterally change” the status quo during de-escalation in Eastern Ladakh and the situation could have been avoided if the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.
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In a strong message to China after the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India wants peace but is capable of giving a befitting reply, if instigated and asserted that sacrifices of Indian soldiers will not go in vain.
His remarks came at the sixth interaction with Chief Ministers, via video conferencing on Wednesday, to discuss the situation emerging post-Unlock 1.0 and plans ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have prayed for the welfare of humanity. We have always worked with neighbouring countries in a friendly way and cooperation. We have always tried that our differences should not turn into disputes. We never provoke anyone. But we can never compromise on country’s integrity and sovereignty. We have always displayed our power in protecting the country’s integrity and sovereignty,” the Prime Minister said.
“I would like to assure the nation that the sacrifice of our soldiers will not be in vain. For us, the unity and sovereignty of the country are most important. And no one can stop protecting our country. India wants peace but it is capable of giving a befitting reply if provoked,” he added.
The Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Ministers of 15 States and Union Territories, who were present in the meeting via video-conferencing, observed a two-minute silence as a tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the violent face-off.