'Why is the PM lying?' asks Rahul Gandhi after defence ministry's acknowledgement of Chinese transgressions in Ladakh

NEW DELHI: After the Defence Ministry's acknowledgement of Chinese troops transgressions into the Indian territory in different parts of Eastern Ladakh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday asked why the Prime Minister was lying over the issue.

"Why is the PM lying?" a tweet by the Wayanad MP, which also had an English newspaper's article over the Defence Ministry's acknowledgement embedded, read.

Gandhi has time and again raised the issue, especially since the Galwan valley clash which led to 20 Indian Army personnel losing their lives in a violent face-off with Chinese troops.

Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry acknowledged Chinese transgressions in Indian territory in different parts of Eastern Ladakh including Pangong Tso, Gogra and Kungrang Nala areas.

"Chinese aggression has been increasing along the LAC and more particularly in Galwan valley since 5th May 2020. Chinese side transgressed into the areas of Kugrang Nala, Gogra and north bank of Pangong Tso lake on May 17 -18 2020," the Defence Ministry said its document on its major activities in June.

The document was uploaded on the Ministry's website very recently and it is the first time that the Rajnath Singh-led Ministry has admitted officially about the transgressions by the Chinese troops.

The document mentions that after the interactions at ground level, first Corps Commander level talks were held on June 6 to defuse the situation but a "violent faceoff" took place on June 15 resulting in casualties of both sides.".

Discussing about the talks between the two sides, the document mentions that the talks are expected to be prolonged.

"While engagement and dialogue at the military and diplomatic level is continuing to arrive at a mutually acceptable consensus, the present standoff is likely to be prolonged. The situation in eastern Ladakh arising from unilateral aggression by China continues to be sensitive and requires close monitoring and prompt action based on the evolving situation," the document states.

India and China have, so far, done five rounds of Corps Commander level talks but disengagement has not been done completely. China has stated that it will create an observation post at Finger 5.

The Chinese have brought in almost 45,000 troops from various locations and deployed them on the LAC and heavy tank and artillery deployment has also been done in front and depth areas by them.