India and China military commanders hold flag meeting in Ladakh

New Delhi, Apr. 23 (ANI): In an endeavor to resolve the situation arising out of the incursion by Chinese troops in Ladakh, the local military commanders of India and China are holding a flag meeting today.

Meanwhile, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), who is heading the India-China joint working mechanism to deal with issues on the boundary from the Indian side, has summoned the Chinese Ambassador to South Block here.

He had earlier last week spoke to his counterpart in Beijing, and emphasized on the need to resolve this issue.

Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai had summoned the Chinese Ambassador Wei Wei to South Block, and stressed the need for resolving the issue.

The Chinese side has said they will look into the issue and respond accordingly.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony yesterday said that India will take 'every step' to protect its interests to resolve the situation arising out of the incursion.

"We are taking every action to protect our interests," he told mediapersons here.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had on Monday said India and China are holding flag meetings to address the issue of incursion by Chinese troops in Ladakh.

"We are still in touch and flag meetings are going on. There is more information to come. We will factor all that and then take a final view," he said.

To a poser on the situation after Chinese troops entered the Indian Territory in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in eastern Ladakh and erected a tented post, Khurshid said that this issue is being addressed in an appropriate manner.

" I do not think we should allow this to get beyond the immediate area and we should retain at that level and not allow it to escape that level," he added.

According to reports, a Platoon-strength contingent of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) entered the Indian territory in Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in eastern Ladakh and erected a tented post, setting the stage for a face-off with Indian troops.

Daulat Beg Oldi, which is located in northernmost Ladakh, is a historic camp site. It is located on an ancient trade route connecting Ladakh to Yarkand in Xinjiang, China. (ANI)