Ladakh Clash: PM Modi Calls All-Party-Meet on Friday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called an all-partymeeting on Friday to discuss the situation at the India-China border afterclashes in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers laid down their lives. Presidentsof various political parties will participate in the meeting at 5 pm on Fridayvia video, the Prime Minister's Office said.

In a tweet by PMO, it said, "In order to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister @narendramodi has called for an all-party meeting at 5 PM on 19th June. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting."

In order to discuss the situation in the India-China border areas, Prime Minister @narendramodi has called for an all-party meeting at 5 PM on 19th June. Presidents of various political parties would take part in this virtual meeting.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 17, 2020

Army sources said that up to 45 Chinese soldiershave been killed or injured in the fight at Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh.There were "casualties on both sides".

After confirming the death of three soldiers, including a Colonel, on Tuesday morning, the army added that 17 more critically injured soldiers were "exposed to sub-zero temperatures" and died of their injuries.

The army has said Indian and Chinese troops"have disengaged" in the area. China also said Wednesday it wanted toavoid more clashes. "We of course don't wish to see more clashes,"foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a press conference, while urgingIndia to avoid "provocative gestures" that could complicate theborder situation.

Monday's clash, a severe escalation after weeks of tension along the border with China, erupted when a small Indian patrol party moved to remove a Chinese tent in the Galwan river valley at 15,000 feet. China had agreed to remove the tent after talks between Lieutenant General-ranked officers of both sides on June 6.

The incident involved no shooting but "violenthand-to-hand scuffles". The soldiers threw punches and stones at eachother and the Chinese troops allegedly used rods and nail-studded clubs duringthe fight that lasted for hours until midnight on Monday, according to reports.

India blamed the clashes on "an attempt by theChinese side to unilaterally change the status quo there", rebuttingChina's claims that Indian soldiers crossed the border.