LAC stand-off live updates: World has taken note of your exemplary bravery, PM tells soldiers in Ladakh

This is the first time that India has spoken out on the Hong Kong issue and, perhaps not surprisingly, it comes in the middle of aggressive Chinese behaviour at the LAC that saw a violent scuffle last month in the Galwan valley resulting in casualties on both sides. The remarks came on a day US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo endorsed India's decision to ban Chinese apps saying India's "clean app approach will boost India's sovereignty and boost integrity and national security."

During his visit, Singh will carry out a comprehensive review of the security situation in the region with Gen Naravane, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Yogesh Kumar Joshi, Commander of the 14 Corps Lt Gen Harinder Singh and other senior Army officials, sources said.The visit is also aimed at boosting morale of the army personnel engaged in the seven-week bitter border faceoff with the Chinese troops in the region, sources added.

The country’s defence establishment is finalising a plan to send a dozen new high-speed interceptor boats armed with the latest surveillance gear to Pangong Tso, where Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a fierce confrontation since early May.

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo welcomed India’s decision to ban dozens of apps with Chinese links, saying its “clean app approach will boost its integrity and national security”. “We welcome India’s ban on certain mobile apps that serves as an appendage of CCP’s surveillance state.”

India and China have broadly agreed to restart the gradual and verifiable troop disengagement from “friction points” in Galwan Valley and Gogra-Hot Springs areas of eastern Ladakh, which got derailed the last time after Chinese soldiers reneged on the pullback agreement, leading to the bloody clashes on June 15.