Rajnath Singh chairs high-level meeting with CDS Gen Rawat, three service chiefs

CDS General Bipin Rawat & the 3 service chiefs met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today to discuss the situation in Ladakh after twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the skirmish in the Galwan valley.

New Delhi:Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting with CDS Gen Bipin Rawat and three service chiefs, ahead of his visit to Russia. The situation in Ladakh was reviewed in the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.

This comes days after the violent showdown between the Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan valley in which twenty soldiers were killed.

Defence Minister sources said that armed forces have been given full freedom to deal with any aggressive behaviour by China's PLA along LAC.

"Indian forces told to be fully ready to give a befitting reply to any Chinese misadventure in eastern Ladakh and another sector," they added.

The sources said India will adopt a different tactical approach in guarding the border with China from now on.

Instructions have been issued to the top military brass to keep an eye on all the Chinese activities around LAC border, airspace and in strategic sea lines.

Top military brass has been told to ensure strict vigil on Chinese activities around the land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes.

Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week standoff in several areas of eastern Ladakh and several rounds of military talks have been unable to break the deadlock.

The Defence Minister will depart tomorrow for Moscow, Russia to witness Victory Day Military Parade on June 24. (With input from agencies)