Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a meeting with CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and other officials (for representation) | Photo: ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at a meeting with CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and other officials (for representation) | Photo: ANI
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New Delhi: The Government of India Tuesday took a comprehensive security review of the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially the developments in eastern Ladakh, where its troops outflanked the Chinese a few days ago and now dominate the entire southern bank of Pangong Tso.

The review meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and the Director General of Military Operations.

The meeting was held ahead of Rajnath Singh’s visit to Russia Wednesday to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers’ meet on 3 September. Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe will also take part in the SCO meet, but government sources said no bilateral meeting is scheduled.

The security review meeting was important since Rajnath Singh will only be back in the country on 5 September.

What happened at the meeting?

Sources said the DGMO gave a detailed briefing on the situation in Ladakh, and possible scenarios were also discussed at the meeting.

“Necessary directions have been given to the armed forces. Indian forces have maintained a high operational alert and all necessary steps have been taken,” a source said, refusing to elaborate further on what transpired at the critical meet.

As reported by ThePrint, the situation in eastern Ladakh remains “sensitive”, with both China and India deploying tanks and additional troops as the Indian Army now dominates the entire southern bank of the Pangong Tso, just as the Chinese troops have done on the northern bank.

Planned meet with Russia

Sources also said that on his visit to Russia, Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu.

Singh will also review the ongoing military projects with Russia, especially the emergency procurement of certain types of missiles and equipment.

As reported by ThePrint, India and Russia are also close to signing a deal for over 6 lakh AK-203 rifles, with the per-rifle price having finally been fixed.

 

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