The armed forces have deployed at the de-facto border withChina have been given complete freedom in giving a befitting reply to anyChinese aggressive behavior on Sunday.

Government sources have revealed after a high-level meetingattended by defence minister Rajnath Singh. Chief of Defence Staff Gen BipinRawat, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane, Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh and AirChief Marshal RKS Bhadauria.

The sources said Singh told the top military officials to maintain a strict vigil on Chinese activities around land borders, airspace, andstrategic sea lanes.

A "tough" and forceful approach should be adopted by the security forces in dealing with Chinese forces

Indian and Chinese armies have been on a six-week standoff in eastern Ladakh. The situation intensified when the two countries after the Chinese military killed 20 Indian Army personnel and injured around 76 during a conflict in Galwan Valley on June 15.

The meeting was conducted a day before Rajnath Singh leftfor Russia to attend the grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75thanniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War.