China took pre-meditated action in Galwan valley that led to violence, Indian Foreign Minister tells Beijing

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that the Chinese side took pre-meditated and planned action in Galwan Valley that was directly responsible for the resulting violence between two armies. 

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Foreign minister S Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with his Chinese counterpart — a first since Monday’s violence at Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers died, sources said.

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The Chinese side also sustained losses, sources said, in the violence a first in nearly five decades.

Jaishanker had told the Chinese minister that the Chinese side “took pre-meditated and planned action that was directly responsible for the resulting violence and casualties”, the government said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a strong message to China, said, “India wants peace but when provoked, it is capable of giving a fitting reply, be it any situation”.

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China has demanded punishment for those responsible for the conflict and said the troops should follow “important consensus reached by their leaders,” reports said.

(With inputs from agencies)