India-China standoff live updates: LAC clash premeditated, says India’s envoy to US

India is set to get the first batch of four to six Rafale fighters, which armed with the Meteor air-to-air missiles and Scalp cruise missiles constitute a formidable weapon system. The batch is expected by the end of July. India has asked France to speed up the delivery schedule of the 36 Rafales, under the Rs 59,000 crore deal inked in September 2016, amid the ongoing troop confrontation in eastern Ladakh with China.

The meeting will take place for the first time at Chushul, unlike the first two marathon meetings held at Moldo on June 6 and 22, ever since the major troop confrontations between the two nuclear powers began in early-May. “India’s aim at the meeting on Tuesday will be to discuss ways to reduce tensions with additional confidence-building measures and finalize disengagement timelines. Indian Army, however, is well prepared for the long haul if PLA continues to remain intransigent,” said a source.

The previous two rounds of dialogue took place at Moldo on the Chinese side of the LAC.