India-China Ladakh Border Dispute Updates: Centre To Ask BSNL Not To Use Chinese Equipment For 4G Ugrade, Say Sources

A colonel was among the 20 soldiers killed in the line of duty on Monday. (Representational image)

New Delhi:

The Telecom department has decided to "firmly tell" the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited or BSNL not to use Chinese equipment in the upgradation of the 4G equipment. Telecom companies like Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have been working with Huawei in their current networks, while ZTE works with state-run BSNL.

The development comes amid a huge escalation in ties with China following a violent face-off at Ladakh, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a clash with Chinese troops on Monday evening. This was the first time in nearly five decades that fatalities were reported at the Line of Actual Control, the de facto border with China.

Both India and China have held talks at the level of Major Generals in Galwan Valley in Ladakh, the site of a huge clash on Monday in which 20 soldiers were killed, but it remained "inconclusive", army sources told NDTV.

The clash took place at a point called PP-14 or Patrolling Point 14 a few km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de-facto border between India and China.

A colonel was among the 20 soldiers killed in the line of duty on Monday. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first comments on the Ladakh clash, warning that India "is capable of giving a fitting reply if provoked".

About 45 Chinese soldiers were also killed or injured, said army sources.

Here are the updates on India-China face-off In Ladakh:

Jun 18, 2020 10:28 (IST)

JUSt In: India, China Major General-level talks to be held shortly to resolve issues after Ladakh face-off.

Jun 18, 2020 10:05 (IST)

How India-China clash can impact Alibaba, Xiaomi, Tata Motors

An escalation risks disruption for firms from Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Xiaomi Corp. to Tata Motors Ltd. that have customers -- and investors -- in two of the world's biggest economies, reports Bloomberg.

"A gamut of companies importing parts or capital from China will have to find alternative sources quickly if tensions escalate," Aneesh Srivastava, chief investment officer at Star Health and Allied Insurance Co, was quoted as saying by the news agency.

"The makers of white goods, luggage bags, auto components and some of the e-commerce companies may have to rework their business strategy." (Read full story here)

Jun 18, 2020 09:50 (IST)

Will Come Home After Lockdown: Soldier Killed In Galwan Valley Clash Told Family
When Naik Deepak Kumar Singh told his grandmother on the phone a few days ago from his Ladakh post that he will come home after the coronavirus-induced lockdown ends, he did not know it would be his last conversation with his family."

Jun 18, 2020 09:11 (IST)

China "making exaggerated and untenable claims" on Galwan valley: Government

The government has said "making exaggerated and untenable claims" on disputed areas along the Line of Actual Control or LAC is against the understanding that military commanders of India and China had reached during a meeting on June 6.

" As we have conveyed earlier today External Affairs Minister and the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of China had a phone conversation on recent developments in Ladakh. Both sides have agreed that the overall situation should be handled in a responsible manner and that the understandings reached between Senior Commanders on 6th June should be implemented sincerely. Making exaggerated and untenable claims is contrary to this understanding," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said.

Jun 18, 2020 08:35 (IST)

No Chinese Equipment For 4G Upgrade, Centre To Tell BSNL: Sources

Jun 18, 2020 08:32 (IST)