You would have already seen our earlier statement of 16th June and the readout issued yesterday of the phone conversation between EAM and Chinese Foreign Minister on the recent developments in the western sector of the India-China border. 
India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh.   On 6th June 2020, the Corps Commanders of India and China held a meeting in the Chushul Moldo region where an agreement was reached on de-escalation and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Ground Commanders were meeting regularly to implement this consensus throughout last week. 

While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the LAC in the Galwan valley.  On the late evening and night of 15th June 2020, a violent face off happened when the Chinese side unilaterally attempted to change the status quo there.  They took premeditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties suffered by both sides.   This could have been avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side. 

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 it’s activities to it’s side of the LAC. 
During his telephone conversation with the Chinese Foreign Minister, EAM conveyed that the need of the hour was for the Chinese side to reassess its actions and take corrective steps.  They should strictly respect and observe the Line of Actual Control and not take any unilateral action to alter it. It was agreed that both sides would implement the dis-engagement understanding of 6th June sincerely.  Neither side would take any action to escalate matters and instead, ensure peace and tranquility as per bilateral agreements and protocols.  
The two sides are in regular touch through their respective embassies and foreign offices.  At the ground level the two sides have maintained communication at the commanders' level.  Meetings of other established diplomatic mechanisms such as Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on Border Affairs (WMCC) are under discussion. 
While we remain firmly convinced of the need for maintenance of peace and tranquility in the borders areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue, at the same time, as Hon’ble PM stated yesterday, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India-China border news LIVE Updates: China's goal in South Asia is to limit 'defiance' from India and 'hinder' Indo-US ties, says report

Amidst the Chinese incursion into Indian territories in Ladakh, an influential US think-tank has said that China's "immediate goal" in South Asia is to limit any "defiance" from India and hinder its burgeoning partnership with the US. The report titled 'A Global Survey of US-China Competition in the Coronavirus Era' by the Hudson Institute also noted that China's deep partnership with Pakistan and close relationship with Sri Lanka are critical to Beijing's plans for dominating the region. South Asia is key to China's larger strategic objective to challenge US' pre-eminence in the Gulf and the western Indian Ocean, said the report released this week.
    

The study looks at how China's attempts to "exploit the pandemic for political, strategic, and economic gain" around the world. The segment on South Asia titled "China's Thrust into South Asia: Considerations for US Policy" argues that China's "immediate goal" in South Asia is "to limit any defiance from the world's largest democracy, India, and hinder its burgeoning partnership with the United States". According to the report, the real counter to China in South Asia is India.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: China-made models dominate the Indian smartphone markets

India-China border tensions LIVE Updates: China is on NATO radar more than ever, says US envoy

China is on the NATO radar more than ever, a top American envoy to the powerful military grouping has said, asserting that Beijing could be a peaceful partner but it is not showing that right now.
    
Kay Bailey Hutchison, US Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), told reporters at a virtual meeting here on Wednesday that NATO is beginning to assess what China is doing.
    
"China could be a peaceful partner, a good trade partner, but they're not showing that right now, and I think NATO partners are looking at this," she said.
    
"It's much more on our radar screen, and I think it should be because we should assess the risk, hope for the best but prepare for the worst," Hutchison said on the aggressive behaviour and provocative actions of China against Taiwan, Japan and India.

DOT asks telcos to consider reviewing future partnership, orders with Chinese firms: Sources

The Department of Telecom has asked Indian network operators, including Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, to consider reviewing future partnerships and orders with Chinese manufacturers, sources told CNBC-TV18. The two big equipment manufacturers that work with telecom operators include Huawei and ZTE. The Department of Telecom is likely to have barred state-run telecom operators, BSNL and MTNL, from working with these manufacturers.

"Department of Telecom has firmly decided to tell BSNL not to use Chinese equipment in the upgradation of its 4G faculties which is the part of its rehabilitation package. The department has also conveyed to rework the tender in this regard. The department is also actively considering steps to convey to the private mobile service operators to speedily reduce their dependence on made in China company equipment," said a government official on the condition of anonymity.

China, Russia present the most immediate, serious threats to US space operations: Pentagon

China and Russia present the most immediate and serious threats to the US space operations, the Pentagon has said, alleging that the two countries have weaponised space as a way to deter and counter a possible American intervention during a regional military conflict.
    
The Pentagon unveiled a new Defence Space Strategy on Wednesday which is designed to maintain US military superiority in space amid growing counter-space efforts in Russia and China.
    
"China and Russia present the most immediate and serious threats to US space operations, although threats from North Korea and Iran are also growing. Chinese and Russian strategic intentions and capabilities present urgent and enduring threats to the ability of the Department to achieve its desired conditions in space, the Pentagon said.     The Pentagon said that concurrently, their use of space is expanding significantly. Both countries consider space access and denial as critical components of their national and military strategies.
    
"Specifically, Chinese and Russian military doctrines indicate that they view space as important to modern warfare and consider the use of counterspace capabilities as a means for reducing the US, allied, and partner military effectiveness and for winning future wars," it said.

Chinese funding in Indian startups slows amid pandemic, FDI rule change; border tensions a concern

Chinese investors have so far invested $263 million in Indian startups in the first half of 2020 across 15 deals, which is less than a quarter of the $1.23 billion they raised in 2019 through 47 deals. The trend reflects a slower pace of funding from Chinese investors, a very important source of capital for Indian startups. The funding has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis as well as the change in the foreign direct investment (FDI) policy for Chinese capital into the country announced in April. Given the tense border situation with China, the prospects of Chinese capital into Indian startups look grim.

India-China border tensions LIVE Updates: Army morale has not taken a beating, says Lt Gen Panag

Lt Gen Panag to CNBC-TV18:

-India must swallow the bitter pill in front of a formidable enemy

-India must not react immediately as China is ready

-Indian army morale has not taken a beating

-China knows that it needs to act as a responsible nation globally

-Chinese will willingly engage in diplomacy

-Diplomacy will find a solution

-Need to always be prepared for the Trojan horse

India-China border tensions LIVE Updates: India should take its time and react at a place and time of our choosing, says Lt Gen Panag

Lt Gen Panag to CNBC-TV18:

-India should take its time and react at a place and time of our choosing

-The diplomatic response is the first option and military response is the last

-China’s PLA modernisation plans go back to the seventies

-China has revamped the PLA and has a clear edge in technology

-Warfare in high altitude is not about technology

-India can stalemate China and recover areas where China has intruded

India-China border tensions LIVE Updates: China also wary about the possibility of war, says Lt Gen Panag

Lt Gen Panag to CNBC-TV18:
-China would also be wary about the possibility of war
-India must exploit this incident diplomatically
-India & China must engage at the highest political level
-India must demand the restoration of the status quo and demarcation of LAC

India-China border tensions LIVE Updates: India had the right to use small arms and artillery against PLA, says Lt Gen Panag

Lt Gen Panag to CNBC-TV18:

-1996 agreement does not restrain the Indian side from carrying arms.

-Indian Army had the right to use small arms and artillery as the Chinese were threatening our territory.

-Had this horrendous incident because soldiers were not carrying arms.

-The military could not have taken action without political clearance.

-Both India and China are very cautious after the clashes

-China fears that India could launch a military operation