India rubbishes China's claims of capturing its soldier

New Delhi : India has asked China to restrict their activities on their side of LAC, rubbishing the claims that they have captured one of the Indian soldiers. The authorities clarified that no Indian soldier was "missing in action" after the violent brawl on June 15 at Galwan Valley.

The major generals from both India and China held a meeting on Thursday near Petrol Point 14, where the clash had erupted.

This was the seventh meeting between Major General Abhijit Bapat, commander of Karu-based headquarters 3 Infantry Division, and his Chinese counterpart since the stand-off began in early May, and the third after Monday night’s clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.

"The two sides had a long discussion on the border situation after the clash. They agreed to hold more talks in the coming days. These talks will be held at different levels," an Indian Army official said on condition of anonymity.

Via both military and diplomatic channels, India has sent a strong message to China of restricting their activities to their side of LAC. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told his Chinese counterpart over phone that Chinese troops entered the Indian side in Galwan Valley and sought to erect a structure.

"Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the Chinese side to also confine its activities to its side of the LAC," external affairs ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava told a weekly media briefing.

The June 15 clash marked the first Indian casualties in a border skirmish with PLA since October 1975, when Chinese troops ambushed an Indian patrol in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tulung La sector and shot four soldiers dead.