China on Tuesday said the situation was "generally stable" along its border with India, days after the troops of the two countries clashed in the Tawang sector of <keyword id="46408" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="arunachal-pradesh" source="Orion">Arunachal Pradesh</keyword>, resulting in minor injuries to some soldiers on both sides. At a media briefing here, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also said the two sides have maintained smooth communication on border-related issues through diplomatic and military channels. Wang, however, declined to provide details of the December 9 clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers at the Yangtse area of Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector. Earlier in the day, <keyword id="7706628" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="defence-minister-rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh</keyword> made a statement in Parliament in New Delhi on the incident in the Tawang sector. "The Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from encroaching on our territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. Some soldiers from both sides were injured in the skirmish," he said in his statement in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Asked about the incident during the media interaction, Wang said: “As far as we know, the current border situation between China and India is generally stable”. "As for the specific questions you mentioned, I suggest you refer to the competent authorities," Wang added. The Chinese Defence Ministry has not reacted to the incident so far. Wang also said Beijing hopes that the "Indian side will work with us in the same direction and smoothly deliver the important common understanding reached by leaders of both sides. "And act strictly on the spirit of relevant bilateral agreements signed by both sides and jointly preserve peace and tranquility in the border areas”. It is the first major clash between the Indian and Chinese armies since the fierce face-off in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/five-women-newsmakers-in-2022-in-india-droupadi-murmu-madhabi-puri-buch-samantha-ruth-prabhu-in-the-list/slidelist/96191677.cms">Droupadi Murmu, Madhabi Puri Buch, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and more: Five women newsmakers of 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/dalmia-bharat-to-acquire-cement-power-plants-of-jaiprakash-associates-for-5666-crore-enterprise-value/articleshow/96175228.cms">Dalmia Bharat to acquire cement, power plants of Jaiprakash Associates for ₹5,666 crore enterprise value</a>

Sino-India border situation 'generally stable' says China as it stays silent on Tawang clash

<ul><li>The government has decided to install more <keyword id="6431247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mobile-towers" source="Orion">mobile towers</keyword> in <keyword id="61282" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="tawang" source="Orion">Tawang</keyword>.</li><li>The development came after the India-China clash at Yangtse on December 9.</li><li>Tawang Deputy Commissioner <keyword id="15843595" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kn-damo" source="Orion">KN Damo</keyword> said <keyword id="30351" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bsnl" source="Orion">BSNL</keyword> and Bharti <keyword id="15491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="airtel" source="Orion">Airtel</keyword> would install 23 new mobile towers to improve connectivity.</li></ul>Itanagar, to improve connectivity near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh, the government has decided to install more mobile towers, a senior official of the Tawang district said on Wednesday. The development came after the India-China clash at Yangtse on December 9. Tawang Deputy Commissioner KN Damo said BSNL and Bharti Airtel would install 23 new mobile towers to improve connectivity. "The existing towers were not giving the desired services, causing problems not only for the defence forces but also the civilians living along the border," he said. Earlier, there was no mobile network in the border areas but the situation has changed now with residents enjoying internet service and mobile connectivity even at Bum-La and Y-Junction but more improvement is needed, he added. "Defence areas have been given priority for the installations, while civilian areas such as Mago, Chuna and Niliya (near Zemithang) have been not neglected either," Damo said. The district administration had asked for 43 new towers, he said. The officer said that all preparations are in place for installing the new towers, but winter would pose a challenge, which might get the process delayed. Though the hilltops of the district have been receiving snowfall, the headquarters town witnessed snowfall first time on Sunday night with the mercury plummeting to -3 degrees Celsius. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-for-india-goes-heavy-on-ai-from-reading-handwritten-prescriptions-to-enhancing-agricultural-capabilities-heres-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/96362495.cms">Google for India goes heavy on AI — From reading handwritten prescriptions to enhancing agricultural capabilities, here’s all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/upcoming-new-games-in-2023/articleshow/95999256.cms">Top upcoming games in 2023: Here’s what PC, PlayStation, and Xbox users should expect</a>

Tawang to get more mobile towers for better connectivity after India-China clash

<ul><li>“Our armed forces are always ready to stop any attempt of transgression at our borders,” <keyword id="6355121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Rajnath Singh</keyword> told the Lok Sabha. </li><li>Indian and <keyword id="151196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chinese-troops" source="Orion">Chinese troops</keyword> clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in <keyword id="12277618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tawang-sector" source="Orion">Tawang sector</keyword> of Arunachal Pradesh on December 9. </li><li>The face-off resulted in "minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides", the Indian Army said on Monday. </li></ul>Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that timely intervention by Indian Army stopped the Chinese PLA troops from encroaching on the country's territory during the December 9 face-off at Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang sector. Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. "On December 9, 2022 in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector PLA troops encroached upon and attempted to change status quo. This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. There was fist fight in during this face-off as well. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory and forced them to go back to their post," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha. The minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. "After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border," Singh told the Lok Sabha. The Defence Minister said that no <keyword id="1052484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-troops" source="Orion">Indian troops</keyword> were killed or seriously injured in the incident. Singh said, "In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations." "This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Rajnath Singh said. "I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh said. On Monday the Indian Army in a statement said: "On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides." "Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity," it said. Opposition members earlier today created a ruckus in Parliament over the clash between troops of India and China. Soon after Rajnath Singh's statement, Opposition leaders staged a walkout from Lok Sabha.

No loss of life or serious injury to our soldiers: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tawang clash

<ul><li>Speaking in the <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts.</li><li>The minister said that the issue had been taken up with <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword> through diplomatic channels. </li><li>He further said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident.</li></ul>Defence Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Rajnath Singh</keyword> on Tuesday said that timely intervention by Indian Army stopped the Chinese PLA troops from encroaching on the country's territory during the December 9 face-off at Arunachal Pradesh's <keyword id="61282" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tawang" source="Orion">Tawang</keyword> sector. Speaking in the Lok Sabha today, the Defence Minister said that Indian Army bravely stopped the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) PLA troops from encroaching on Indian territory, and forced them to withdraw to their posts. "On December 9, 2022 in the Yangtse area of Tawang sector PLA troops encroached upon and attempted to change status quo. This attempt was tackled by our troops in a determined manner. There was fist fight in during this face-off as well. Our troops bravely stopped PLA from encroaching upon our territory and forced them to go back to their post," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha. The minister said that the issue had been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. "After this incident, on December 11, the local commander of the area held a flag meeting with his Chinese counterpart under the established system and discussed this incident. The Chinese side was refused all such actions and told to maintain peace at the border," Singh told the Lok Sabha. The Defence Minister said that no Indian troops were killed or seriously injured in the incident. Singh said, "In this face-off, a few soldiers on both sides suffered injuries. I'd like to tell this House that none of our soldiers died or suffered any serious injury. Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers have retreated to their own locations." "This matter has also been taken up with China through diplomatic channels. I want to assure the House that our forces are committed to guard our borders and ready to thwart any attempt that will be made to challenge it," Rajnath Singh said. "I am confident this House will respect the capability, valour and commitment of our armed forces, Singh said. On Monday the Indian Army in a statement said: "On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang Sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides." "Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, own (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity," it said. Opposition members earlier today created a ruckus in <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword> over the clash between troops of India and China. Soon after Rajnath Singh's statement, Opposition leaders staged a walkout from Lok Sabha. (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-declines-20-paise-to-82-71-against-us-dollar-in-early-trade/articleshow/96188516.cms">Rupee declines 20 paise to 82.71 against US dollar in early trade</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-markets-open-higher-as-retail-inflation-eases-paytm-icici-bank-dalmia-bharat-among-stocks-to-watch-out-for/articleshow/96188313.cms">Indian markets open higher as retail inflation eases — Paytm, ICICI Bank, Dalmia Bharat among stocks to watch out for</a>

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make statement in Parliament on India-China troops clash in Tawang

<img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/58ecdf8e77bb70b41a8b4f93-1810/ap16290659836585.jpg" />AP Photo/Manish Swarup Indian Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> with Chinese President <keyword id="191809" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Xi-Jinping">Xi Jinping</keyword> in Goa, <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, October 16, 2016. <ul class="summary-list"><li>A year after a showdown along their disputed border, India and <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> have improved their relationship.</li><li>Despite that renewed cooperation, the strategic issues driving the tension between them are unresolved.</li><li>Persistent issues, along with other moves both sides are making, increase the chances of a future clash.</li></ul>At the end of August 2017, India and China backed away from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tensions-between-china-and-india-continue-year-after-doklam-standoff-2018-8" target="_blank">a 73-day standoff</a> on the Doklam Plateau, high in the eastern Himalayas. In the year since, both sides have sought to mend ties, especially after a summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in the eastern Chinese city of Wuhan in April. The two countries are engaged in a kind of "recalibration" of their relationship, even though deeper-rooted issues that divide them persist, according to Faisel Pervaiz, a South Asia analyst at geopolitical-intelligence firm Stratfor. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5b7c7c152be4abc6518b5156-1400/2006-07-06t120000z1121221344gm1dszicayaartrmadp3trade-india-china.jpg" />REUTERS/Desmond Boylan Chinese and Indian border guards at the Nathu La mountain pass, between Tibet and the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, July 6, 2006. The appointment of Vijay Gokhale, who was ambassador to China during the Doklam crisis and helped resolve the dispute, to foreign secretary was "an indication that India wants to take ... a less confrontational posture," Pervaiz said. China, too, has come to believe it needs "a bit more calm" with its neighbors, including India, in part because of contentious relations with the US, Pervaiz added, though he stressed that Beijing's change in thinking was likely temporary. China has also made overtures to India about a potential partnership in trade disputes with the US. This week, <keyword id="6358777" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-Delhi">New Delhi</keyword> and Beijing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-india-china-launch-joint-training-for-afghanistan-plan-more-projects-2018-10" target="_blank">launched</a> a joint program to train Afghan diplomats, and China's ambassador to the country <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-india-china-launch-joint-training-for-afghanistan-plan-more-projects-2018-10" target="_blank">predicted</a> more cooperation there in the future. Next week, they are to sign a <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-participation-in-global-counterterror-front-high-on-rajnath-singhs-china-visit/article7895845.ece" target="_blank">long-discussed</a> internal-security agreement <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/in-a-first-india-china-to-sign-internal-security-agreement-next-week-1933038" target="_blank">expected to cover</a> cooperation on intelligence sharing, disaster mitigation, and other issues. Despite the apparent rapprochement, the two countries are keeping a close eye on each other. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5996f720f1a850060a8b5ca9-966/rts1a6fh.jpg" /> Reuters Map locating Donglang, or Doklam, a disputed area between China, India, and Bhutan. While India has largely pulled back from positions it took during the Doklam standoff, imagery reviewed by Stratfor in January showed that in late 2017 and early 2018, Delhi <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tensions-between-china-and-india-continue-year-after-doklam-standoff-2018-8" target="_blank">increased its deployments</a> of combat aircraft to bases near the disputed area. Those images showed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tensions-between-china-and-india-continue-year-after-doklam-standoff-2018-8" target="_blank">even more activity</a> around Chinese bases in Tibet, north of the disputed area, including airfield upgrades and a large aircraft presence. (China puts more assets at those bases because it does not have bases closer to the border area.) This month, officials <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chinese-bunkers-at-lhasa-airport-worry-india/story-B85jNuqEH72jiPk7sPKbcM.html" target="_blank">told Hindustan Times</a> that Delhi was concerned about construction at the Chinese air base in <keyword id="69031" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="lhasa">Lhasa</keyword>, which included bomb-proof bunkers for aircraft and expanded <keyword id="839167" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="surface-to-air-missile">surface-to-air missile</keyword> batteries. "You need blast- or bomb-proof hangars for fighters only if there is a possibility of hostilities," one official said. Any activity with military hardware or other assets that could have military applications around the eastern end of India and China's shared border was likely to attract scrutiny, Pervaiz said. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5bc6357edff09418cf522654-1400/2009-01-18t120000z1854760702gm1e51i1aa201rtrmadp3india.jpg" /> REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri A snow-covered Indian army camp at the India-China trade route at Nathu-La, 34 miles north of Gangtok, capital of India's northeastern state of Sikkim and near the Doklam Plateau, January 17, 2009. "If you are India or China and you are seeing any sort of moves that either military is making, you view that almost through the lens of paranoia - that if you're making that move, how can that be used against us in a potential conflict?" he told Business Insider. The Doklam Plateau sits at the southern edge of the Himalayan mountain range, where the elevation is on average close to 15,000 feet. High altitudes and rough terrain put considerable limitations on military operations. While the higher elevation gives China an <a href="https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/sizing-competition-doklam-plateau" target="_blank">advantage</a> in surveillance and physiological acclimatization, lower air density hinders jet aircraft engines and limits the weaponry and fuel that aircraft can carry. China's air force is larger than India's, but it only has five air bases in Tibet - though upgrades at the Lhasa base described by <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chinese-bunkers-at-lhasa-airport-worry-india/story-B85jNuqEH72jiPk7sPKbcM.html" target="_blank">Hindustan Times</a> include special helicopter bases that allow them to take off and land with full payloads. India's air power in the region would offer it some advantages. Indian air bases, including those that received more aircraft earlier this year, are closer to the area in question than China's bases. India <a href="https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/sizing-competition-doklam-plateau" target="_blank">counts 20 air bases</a> within range of the Line of Actual Control, which separates Indian- and Chinese-claimed territory. India has also also practiced with transport planes at forward landing areas in the region. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5bc77509756c1003fd3b21d2-1400/2006-06-07t120000z986739597gm1dstuwavaartrmadp3india-china-trade.jpg" /> REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri/Files An Indian army officer, left, talks with a Chinese soldier at the 14,140-foot high Nathu-la pass on the country's northeastern border with China, April 9, 2005. But China's air defenses are more <a href="https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/sizing-competition-doklam-plateau" target="_blank">effective and reliable</a> than India's. And China has more artillery that can fire farther and is more mobile. Thin air at higher elevations hinders traditional rocket propulsion, but Chinese officials claimed in August they were progressing on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-says-making-progress-with-electromagnetically-launched-rockets-2018-8" target="_blank">a type of electromagnetic propulsion</a> that would give rocket artillery longer range and more accuracy. Both countries can be expected to use land-attack cruise missiles - the Indian Su-30MKI jets deployed to the area are capable of firing India's Brahmos missile. But China has a larger inventory of them, and the paucity of Chinese targets in the area north of the border would likely mean Beijing would have the edge. Much of the fighting in a conflict around Doklam would likely be done on the ground, even though the terrain would limit quick strikes and mass movement of troops. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5bc7750998b249042b00ab08-1400/2012-07-30t000000z843499465gm1e87u0l9j01rtrmadp3india-china.jpg" /> REUTERS/Frank Jack Daniel Monpa tribeswomen employed by the Indian army work on India's Tezpur-Tawang highway, which runs to the Chinese border in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, May 28, 2012. Both countries are among <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-powerful-militaries-in-the-world-ranked-2018-2" target="_blank">the most largest militaries</a> in the world. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/militaries-most-active-duty-soldiers-troops-2018-5#2-india-1362500-active-personnel-14" target="_blank">China's 2.1 million active-duty troops</a> are far more than India's 1.3 million, though Indian troops may bring more experience to bear. Indian fought its last war, with Pakistan, in 1999 and has been involved in sporatic clashes with Pakistan, as well as counterterror and counter-insurgency operations for years. (Delhi was developing a special Mountain Strike Corps for the northern border, but it <a href="https://www.janes.com/article/81837/indian-army-shelves-plans-for-new-fighting-corps" target="_blank">was shelved</a> this summer.) China fought its last war in 1979 - a three-week incursion into Vietnam that ended with China's withdrawal, though both sides claimed victory. Xi has <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2153579/chinas-army-infiltrated-peace-disease-after-years" target="_blank">ordered</a> China's military to increase readiness and launched reforms to the force. Along the Line of Actual Control, however, China may gain an edge through <a href="https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/sizing-competition-doklam-plateau" target="_blank">superior</a> command, control, and communications and through its unified command structure in the region, whereas India divides the region among three combatant commands. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5bc77509e92e9703e95207f7-1400/2012-07-30t000000z1431343977gm1e87u0kr401rtrmadp3india-china.jpg" /> REUTERS/Frank Jack Daniel An Indian army truck drives along India's Tezpur-Tawang highway, which runs to the Chinese border, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, May 28, 2012. India is aware that it would likely lose a military confrontation with China, Pervaiz said, as it did in 1962. (Mao later said China invaded essentially <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/this-is-how-it-could-go-down-if-china-and-india-went-to-war-2017-8" target="_blank">to teach India a lesson</a>.) A conflict now is not in the interest of either country, he added, but "they both are going to continue to sharpen their capabilities in the event that there ever is a conflict [in order] to be able to fight and execute on that conflict, no doubt about it." Since the end of the Doklam standoff, China has kept the assets it deployed there - tents, bunkers, and vehicles, Pervaiz said - in place, even as Indian forces withdrew. Questioned about that change in parliament earlier this year, the Indian <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">Defense</keyword> Ministry tacitly admitted "China has actually altered those facts on the ground" and India had to accept the change, Pervaiz said. <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5bc77509c63f4e03d1229e0f-1400/2005-09-15t120000z110812631rp6drnadnuaartrmadp3india.jpg" /> REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri Indian soldiers play a friendly volleyball match with Chinese soldiers at the Indo-China border at Nathula in Sikkim state, about 109 miles from the northeastern Indian city of Siliguri, September 15, 2005. India too has pursued a longer-term shift in its strategy toward the disputed border. Delhi tried to minimize the number of roads in the border area after the 1962 war in order to deprive future enemies of transportation routes. Since the 1990s, however, India has switched to what Pervaiz called "an offensive-defense posture, meaning that we're not just going to deny the Chinese access to roads in our region. We're actually going to start building more roads and infrastructure so that our military can be better positioned." <img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5bc63aa3850e6c191848dad3-1400/2009-11-13t120000z813701639gm1e5bd1boa01rtrmadp3india-china-border.jpg" /> REUTERS/Adnan Abidi A signboard on the Indian side of the Indo-China border at Bumla, in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, November 11, 2009. Amid the recalibration, the broader strategic issues driving tensions between India and China - the border dispute or China's partnership with India's rival, Pakistan - have not dissipated, suggesting the current period is one in which both sides are trying to manage their disputes, which Pervaiz analogized to treating a chronic illness. "It may be that the physician says that you're not going to get rid of this," he said. "This is something you're going to have to live with for the rest of your life, but we can manage it ... and then the symptoms can stay under control." Even though neither side sees conflict as in their interest, deep-seated disputes that persist raise the chances one may occur. "In the long run, because the strategic drivers are still there, and they're building up their assets, the roads, the bunkers," Pervaiz said, "that that does mean in the future, there's actually a heightened probability there's going to be some sort of confrontation, even if it's a small one." <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/asia-earth-ice-melted-rising-ocean-coastline-china-india-2015-3">Animated map shows what would happen to Asia if all the Earth's ice melted</a></h3> <pre style="display: none;">function receiveMessage(event){ console.log(event.data.fullscreen); Android.fullscreen(event.data.fullscreen); }window.addEventListener("message", receiveMessage, false);</pre>

The world's 2 biggest countries are playing nice a year after a showdown, but a future clash may be unavoidable

<ul><li>The exercise is aimed at checking the <keyword id="6355075" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iaf" source="Orion">IAF</keyword>'s overall combat capability and military preparedness in the region.</li><li>All frontline air bases and some key Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the Northeast are set to be involved.</li><li>The IAF scrambled fighter jets last week following China's increasing air activities on its side of the <keyword id="49297" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lac" source="Orion">LAC</keyword>.</li></ul> The <keyword id="15141" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-air-force" source="Orion">Indian Air Force</keyword> will carry out a two-day exercise in the Northeast involving almost all its frontline fighter jets and other assets deployed in the region amid the fresh tensions between Indian and Chinese troops in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh following the last week's face-off in the area. Sources said the exercise is aimed at checking the IAF's overall combat capability and military preparedness in the region. They, however, said the exercise was planned much before the face-off between the Indian and Chinese armies and it is not related to the incident. The sources said IAF's frontline fighter jets including Sukhoi-30MKIs and Rafale jets will be part of the exercise besides several other platforms deployed in the region. All frontline air bases and some key Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the Northeast are set to be involved in the exercise, said a source. The sources said the top brass of the Eastern Air Command will also undertake a comprehensive review of the IAF's preparedness in the region in view of the overall security matrix. The Army and IAF have been maintaining a high state of operational readiness along the <keyword id="49399" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="line-of-actual-control" source="Orion">Line of Actual Control</keyword> with China in the Arunachal Pradesh and the Sikkim sector for over two years following the eastern <keyword id="26604" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ladakh" source="Orion">Ladakh</keyword> row. The IAF scrambled fighter jets last week following China's increasing air activities on its side of the LAC in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. The deployment of some aerial platforms including drones by China in the region preceded the Chinese attempts on December 9 to unilaterally change the status quo in the Yangtse area of the Tawang sector, sources said. They said a number of Chinese drones flew close to the LAC prompting the IAF to scramble the jets and increase the overall combat readiness. On Monday, the <keyword id="6354416" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-army" source="Orion">Indian Army</keyword> said troops from the two sides clashed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector and the face-off led to "minor injuries" to a few personnel from both sides". The face-off took place amid the over 30-month border standoff between the two sides in eastern Ladakh. Defence Minister <keyword id="6355121" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rajnath-singh" source="Orion">Rajnath Singh</keyword> told <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword> on Tuesday that the Indian troops bravely thwarted the attempt by Chinese <keyword id="43746" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pla" source="Orion">PLA</keyword> from "unilaterally" changing the status in Yangtse area of the Tawang sector and there were no fatalities or serious casualties to the Indian troops in the scuffle. "On December 9, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner," Singh said. "The ensuing face off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts," he said. Indian and Chinese troops were engaged in a brief face-off near Yangtse in October last year as well and it was resolved following talks between local commanders of the two sides as per established protocols. Meanwhile, an old video of clashes between Indian and Chinese troops along the LAC purportedly has gone viral on social media. The video has surfaced in the backdrop of the December 9 incident. Officials said the video is old. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/news/from-raghuram-rajan-to-medha-parkar-to-swara-bhasker-top-celebs-at-rahul-gandhis-bharat-jodo-yatra/slidelist/96241646.cms">From Raghuram Rajan to Medha Parkar to Swara Bhasker – top celebs at Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/yes-bank-shares-decline-after-rallying-26-in-five-days/articleshow/96226772.cms">Yes Bank shares tumble after rallying 26% in the last five days – analysts recommend caution</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/still-believe-esg-is-a-waste-of-time-9-on-10-infosys-executives-have-just-proved-otherwise/articleshow/96221777.cms">Still believe ESG is a waste of time? 9 on 10 Infosys executives have just proved otherwise</a>

IAF to carry out 2-day exercise in Northeast from Thursday

Amid the increased <keyword id="15770999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rush-of-air-passengers" source="Orion">rush of air-passengers</keyword>, <keyword id="6354706" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indigo" source="Orion">Indigo</keyword> airline issued a travel advisory asking passengers to reach the Delhi airport at least 3.5 hours prior to domestic departures. The airline has also asked the passengers to carry only one piece of hand baggage weighing 7 kg for a smooth security check. The Delhi airports are experiencing high footfalls and the check-in and boarding time are expected to be longer than usual. Passengers are requested to reach the airport at least 3.5 hours prior to domestic departures, and to carry only one piece of hand baggage weighing 7 kg for a smooth security check," Indigo said in a statement on Twitter. "Please ensure that you complete your web check-in, for added convenience," it said. The airline also guided the air-passengers to use gate numbers 5 and 6 for entry at Delhi Airport, Terminal 3, as these are nearest to the IndiGo check-in counters. Amid the rising complaints of chaos and crowd mismanagement at the Delhi airport, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday made a surprise visit to the Delhi airport. The Minister along with senior officials took note of the various aspects and directed the officials and the airport operator to take immediate action for better crowd management. Meanwhile, complaints about long queues at Delhi continued to pour in. "This morning's Delhi airport saga! The security lines at Delhi airport were last seen in front of ration shops in the seventies, or East Bengal Mohun Bagan match ticket counters," said an air-passenger Joy Bhattacharjya on Tuesday morning. Delhi airport is one of the busiest airports in the country and handles over 1,100 daily flights. Among the terminals, T3 is the busiest. Keeping in mind the massive crowd during peak hours, the operators have also been asked to shift flights to other terminals from T 3 terminal. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-make-statement-in-parliament-on-india-china-troops-clash-in-tawang/articleshow/96190667.cms" style="">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make statement in Parliament on India-China troops clash in Tawang</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/415-mn-indians-lifted-out-of-poverty-in-india-in-15-years-govt-says-quoting-undp/articleshow/96174443.cms" style="">415 mn Indians lifted out of poverty in India in 15 years: Govt says quoting UNDP</a>

Delhi airport congestion: Indigo asks domestic passengers to arrive 3.5 hours in advance

New <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 have accounted for about 70 per cent of new Covid-19 cases in the US as the country's overall caseload has surpassed 100 million, according to the latest estimates by the <keyword id="116293" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention" source="Orion">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</keyword> (<keyword id="6379474" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cdc" source="Orion">CDC</keyword>). BQ.1.1 was estimated to make up about 38.4 per cent of circulating variants in the week ending December 17, and BQ.1 was estimated to make up 30.7 per cent, according to CDC data. The two variants are descendants of Omicron's BA.5 subvariant and they have been growing especially fast since October, reports Xinhua news agency citing the data. At the beginning of October, each of the two new variants accounted for about 1 per cent of new infections. They replaced BA.5 to be dominant strains in mid-November. BA.5 only accounted for 10 per cent of new infections in the latest week. Another Omicron subvariant XBB is also on the rise, accounting for 7.2 per cent of new infections. Researchers found that the BQ and XBB subvariants are "barely susceptible to neutralization" by the vaccines, including the new Omicron boosters, according to a study published recently in the journal <keyword id="6452450" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="cell" source="Orion">Cell</keyword>. This could result in a surge of breakthrough infections and reinfections, though the vaccines have been shown to hold up against severe disease, according to the study. In its latest update on Wednesday, according to data from <keyword id="210763" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="johns-hopkins-university" source="Orion">Johns Hopkins University</keyword>. As of Wednesday, Johns Hopkins University said that country's overall caseload now stood at 100,003,814, while the death toll increased to 1,088,236. With the highest number of cases and deaths, the US remains the worst-hit country in the world. It accounts for more than 15 per cent of the global caseload and over 16 per cent of the overall fatalities. The country's Covid caseload reached 50 million on December 13, 2021, crossed 60 million on January 9, 2022, exceeded 70 million on January 21, topped 80 million on March 29, and surpassed 90 million on July 21. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/lucky-number-in-2023-based-on-date-of-birth-and-zodiac-sign/slidelist/96362537.cms">Lucky Number based on zodiac Sign in 2023</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/tawang-to-get-more-mobile-towers-for-better-connectivity-after-india-china-clash/articleshow/96390882.cms">Tawang to get more mobile towers for better connectivity after India-China clash</a>

New Omicron subvariants account for nearly 70% new Covid cases in US

Mumbai, India's <keyword id="51196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="G-20" source="Orion">G-20</keyword> Sherpa <keyword id="6358887" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Amitabh-Kant" source="Orion">Amitabh Kant</keyword> on Tuesday pitched for the dissemination of data by the government in a granular form and said that sharing aggregated information is "not good". Addressing the G-20 development working group meeting here, <keyword id="287016" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kant" source="Orion">Kant</keyword> said data is a key aspect to help any country meet her developmental goals and added that India has benefitted from the same. Stressing on the importance of ensuring quality of data, the former civil servant who till recently worked as the chief executive of the government think-tank Niti Aayog made the reference to data aggregation practices by the government. "...Government data are provided as aggregates, which is not good. We should break down the aggregation," Kant said. He said many a time, the quality of the data is also very poor and "we need to ensure that the data is de-cluttered, presented in a simplistic way and it is not difficult to navigate". "Quite often in government, we feed garbage and you get garbage and you feed our garbage. So it is very important to improve the quality of data," he said. Kant also hit out against government officers for being "possessive" about data and often resist sharing them. "We need to overcome this challenge so as to help academics and researchers analyse the data and use it for best outcomes," he added. There is also a challenge with data is that while a huge quantum of it exists all around, the same is siloed, he said, adding, "we need to break down this compartments". Kant said the Niti Aayog had brought in a data governance quality index, and exhorted attendees from the world over to adopt the same. "Without data and good governance, less developed and developing countries will never be able to grow," he said. Addressing the event through a video message, Union minister of state for information and technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar stressed on the government's work on the data front. "The Indian government will soon begin to assemble large swathes of anonymised data sets collected and harmonised under our national data governance policy," he said. <keyword id="6354512" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="infosys" source="Orion">Infosys</keyword> co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani said, "We have an opportunity to create a new data for development paradigm right now." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/five-women-newsmakers-in-2022-in-india-droupadi-murmu-madhabi-puri-buch-samantha-ruth-prabhu-in-the-list/slidelist/96191677.cms">Droupadi Murmu, Madhabi Puri Buch, Samantha Ruth Prabhu and more: Five women newsmakers of 2022</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-make-statement-in-parliament-on-india-china-troops-clash-in-tawang/articleshow/96190667.cms">Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make statement in Parliament on India-China troops clash in Tawang</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rupee-declines-20-paise-to-82-71-against-us-dollar-in-early-trade/articleshow/96188516.cms">Rupee declines 20 paise to 82.71 against US dollar in early trade</a>

'Not good' for govt to share data in aggregated form: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant

<keyword id="6356687" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="canada" source="Orion">Canada</keyword> has processed an all-time high of 4.8 million visa applications in 2022, nearly twice the 2.5 million processed during the same period last year, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (<keyword id="3559802" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ircc" source="Orion">IRCC</keyword>). On a monthly basis, Canada is now processing more visitor visa applications reducing its pandemic backlog by nearly half-a-million applications in just four months. In November alone, over 260,000 visitor <keyword id="6414213" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="visas" source="Orion">visas</keyword> were processed, in contrast to the 180,000 applications that were processed in 2019 at the same time. "Our government has reduced its pandemic backlogs by nearly half a million, while also processing a record-breaking number of immigration applications this year. Our actions are ensuring that we can continue to welcome and support newcomers who come to Canada to work, study, visit, or settle here," <keyword id="5792642" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sean-fraser" source="Orion">Sean Fraser</keyword>, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said in a statement. The 4.8 million applications include 670,000 study permits, 700,000 work permits, and hundreds of thousands of visitor visas, according to IRCC data. The largest number of applications were processed under the temporary residence category with over 670,000 study permits cleared by November 30, compared to more than 500,000 during the same time period last year. Most new study permits are now being processed within the 60-day service standard, the IRCC informed. Close to 700,000 work permits were processed by November 30, compared to about 223,000 during the same period in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. Canada welcomed a record-breaking 405,000 new permanent residents in 2021, and with this development, it remains on track to reach its target of more than 431,000 new permanent residents. Also, permanent residents can now expect shorter wait times when renewing their permanent resident cards as IRCC has reduced its pandemic backlog of applications for card renewals by 99 per cent. Canada welcomed approximately 251,000 new citizens from April to November, as a result of which more than 70 per cent of applications in the citizenship inventory are now within service standards. To address the acute labour shortage, Canada unveiled its ambitious immigration plan last month to welcome half-a-million immigrants each year by 2025. As of December 2, Canada's immigration backlog came down to just over 2.2 million. IRCC says it wants to have a less than 50 per cent backlog across all lines of business by the end of March 2023. To achieve this, the Canadian citizenship body began the transition towards 100 per cent digital applications for most permanent resident programs on September 23. It also hopes to make all citizenship applications digital by the end of this year, including those for minors under 18. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/tawang-to-get-more-mobile-towers-for-better-connectivity-after-india-china-clash/articleshow/96390882.cms">Tawang to get more mobile towers for better connectivity after India-China clash</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/in-space-signs-pact-with-startup-to-develop-indigenous-satellite-quantum-key-distribution-products/articleshow/96392090.cms">IN-SPACe signs pact with startup to develop indigenous satellite quantum key distribution products</a>

Canada issues record-breaking 4.8 million visas in 2022

<ul><li>Two agreements, in 1962 and 1993, form the basis for the <keyword id="49399" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Actual-Control">Line of Actual Control</keyword> (LAC). </li><li>The primary issue in the Ladakh region is that the India-China border is not delineated. </li><li>Experts argue that China’s military power far exceeds all its neighbours and it seems willing to assert it. </li></ul>The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/indian-army-on-india-china-war-in-galwan-valley-soldiers-killed/articleshow/76402297.cms?upcache=2">tensions between India and China</a> have further flared up with soldiers killed on both sides on June 15⁠— despite assurances of de-escalation from both sides⁠— in the <keyword id="9241086" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Galwan-Valley">Galwan Valley</keyword> in Ladakh, near the Line of Actual Control (the agreed border between the countries since the 1962 war). Then in 1993, both the countries signed a “Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility” agreement. The two agreements, in 1962 and 1993, form the basis for the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A battle 14,000 feet above sea level It’s been 42 days since the current round of clashes erupted in the Galwan valley along the LAC. According to the Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane, the incidents in Pangong Lake Ladakh on May 5 happened because of “<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-explains-the-india-china-border-flare-up/article31660378.ece">aggressive behaviour on both sides</a>.” Both the countries have deployed several battalions and weapons near the disputed border areas since then. <div type="image" title="India China IANS" msid="76407320" hostid="261"></div> India and China have disputes in many areas across the length of the border between the two countries from Ladakh to the Tawang region Arunachal Pradesh, a state in northeast India. However, the primary issue in the Ladakh region is that the India-China border is not delineated. That means, India and China have overlapping lines claiming their territory in the Aksai Chin sector, which is largely an uninhabitable region. India believes that<a href="https://www.defence.gov.au/ADC/Publications/IndoPac/Richards%20final%20IPSD%20paper.pdf"> China has 38,000 square kilometers of its land</a> in the western Himalayas, including some areas in Ladakh, and another 5,180 square kilometres of land in Kashmir ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963. However, the current escalation was triggered by Chinese incursions into the Pangong Tso⁠— Tso is the local word for lake⁠— more than half of which is already under Beijing’s control. <div type="image" title="pangong lake bccl" msid="76406933" hostid="261"></div> More than a flash in the pan The 73-days standoff in Doklam in 2017 when the Indian troops and those from the People’s Liberation Army got into a scuffle over the construction of a road in a territory claimed by both China and Bhutan,India’s ally. Though the ongoing combat in Ladakh is the first between Indian and Chinese troops in 58 years, there is more to it than meets the eye. “If you look at the past few years, you have two sides building infrastructure next to each other. They are testing each other’s boundaries. And such stand-offs are becoming a pattern in their relations,” James Crabtree from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy recently <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/experts-believe-that-the-india-china-border-dispute-is-unlikely-to-turn-into-another-war-like-the-one-in-1962/articleshow/76128454.cms">said</a>. Experts argue that China’s military power far exceeds all its neighbours and the increasing tensions from the South China Sea to the Taiwan strait to Ladakh is a reflection of Beijing’s intent to assert its strength. India may also be threatened by China’s growing influence in Pakistan occupied Kashmir India and Pakistan have clashing claims over areas in Kashmir. However, parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, like the Gilgit-Baltistan region that India claims as its territory, are also areas that China has a claim on. “Although Beijing has let Pakistan keep Hunza for now, it has not really given up its claims on the region under the 1963 agreement. The CPEC, which enters Pakistan through Hunza, has laid the foundation for ever-larger Chinese economic influence in Gilgit-Baltistan,” <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-china-border-dispute-ladakh-jammu-kashmir-bifurcation-c-raja-mohan-6460681/">foreign policy expert C Raja Mohan wrote in the Indian Express</a>. CPEC stands for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through areas of Ladakh and Kashmir under Pakistan’s administration. <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/china-pakistan-economic-corridor-is-illegal-india/articleshow/73974996.cms?from=mdr">According to</a> India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the passage is illegally occupied by Pakistan. What next? A military conflict between two large nuclear powers like India and China is likely to make the whole world nervous. The recent negotiations at the level of the respective armies have evidently not managed to calm the conflict. US President Donald Trump has already offered to mediate between the two countries. China <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/donald-trump-offers-to-mediate-india-china-border-dispute/articleshow/76037792.cms">wants to settle the dispute bilaterally</a> but its recent transgressions from Ladakh to Doklam to Arunachal Pradesh may not leave the government in New Delhi with a lot of trust in the Beijing administration. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/sensex-sees-wild-swings-as-tensions-between-india-and-china-escalate-in-galwan-valley/articleshow/76403301.cms">Sensex sees wild swings as tensions between India and China escalate in Galwan valley</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/indian-army-on-india-china-war-in-galwan-valley-soldiers-killed/articleshow/76402297.cms?upcache=2">‘Serious clashes’ between India and China⁠ in Galwan Valley — the Indian army says soldiers were killed on both sides</a>

You Searched For "Tawang clash" and got 11 results

Sino-India border situation 'generally stable' says China as it stays silent on Tawang clash

PTI

Tawang to get more mobile towers for better connectivity after India-China clash

PTI

No loss of life or serious injury to our soldiers: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tawang clash

ANI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make statement in Parliament on India-China troops clash in Tawang

ANI

The world's 2 biggest countries are playing nice a year after a showdown, but a future clash may be unavoidable

Christopher Woody

IAF to carry out 2-day exercise in Northeast from Thursday

PTI

Delhi airport congestion: Indigo asks domestic passengers to arrive 3.5 hours in advance

IANS

New Omicron subvariants account for nearly 70% new Covid cases in US

IANS

'Not good' for govt to share data in aggregated form: G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant

PTI

Canada issues record-breaking 4.8 million visas in 2022

IANS

Simply put ⁠— the India-China dispute in Ladakh’s Galwan valley along the Line of Actual Control

Prerna Sindwani