New Delhi: In wake of ongoing border stalemate in Eastern Ladakh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held a high-level review meeting with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and all three service chiefs, sources in the defence establishment said.
The minister has taken stock of ground situation in Ladakh and preparedness along LAC, sources said.
The services chiefs were asked to ensure strict vigil on Chinese activities around land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes,” the sources said.
On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers, including a Colonel were killed in a violent face-off with the China’s PLA.
The Indian soldiers were attacked with iron rods, nail-studded clubs and rocks wrapped in barbed wire in the fight near Patrol Point 14. Mr Singh will be leaving for Russia on Monday to to participate in the Victory Day parade in Moscow on June 24.
“Raksha Mantri would be visiting Moscow next week to further cement the strong and historic bonds of friendship between Russia & India. RM will also be attending the Grand Parade in Moscow to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of their victory in great Patriotic War of 1941-1945,” the Defence Minister Office said in a tweet on Saturday.
His visit assumes significance as the Indian Air Force (IAF) has pushed a proposal to the government for acquiring 33 new fighter aircraft, including 21 MiG-29s and 12 Su-30MKIs from Russia.
Defence Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Shoigu has invited Raksha Mantri to the Victory Parade, which was originally scheduled on May 9, 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
