Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is currently in Moscow, is likely to meet his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of a ministerial meet of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), news agency PTI reported quoting government sources. This will be the first top level talks between the two neighbouring countries since situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh deteriorated in early May.

Days after the Galwan Valley clash between the Indian troops and Chinese troops, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had held telephonic talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Tensions again flared up in Ladakh after China unsuccessfully attempted to occupy Indian territory in the southern bank of Pangong lake last week at a time when both the nations were engaged in diplomatic and military talks to resolve the border row.

Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, who is currently on a two-day visit to Ladakh to review security arrangements, described the situation as ‘slightly tense’.

“The situation along LAC is slightly tensed. Keeping in view of the situation, we have taken precautionary deployment for our own safety and security, so that our security and integrity remain safeguarded,” news agency ANI quoted General Naravane, as saying.

The Army chief also expressed the hope that issues will be resolved through talks at both military and diplomatic levels.

“For the last 2-3 months, the situation has been tensed but we have continuously been engaging with China both at the military & diplomatic level. These engagements are ongoing and will continue in the future also,” he said.