Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to address Lok Sabha over India-China standoff today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before entering Parliament House ahead of the Monsoon Session on Monday, had told reporters, "Our brave soldiers are guarding the borders amid adverse weather in the mountains. All MPs are united in supporting our soldiers."

Defence minister Rajnath Singh will address Lok Sabha as it reconvenes at 3 pm today over the India-China military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The minister was also present during the proceedings of the Lower House during the first sitting of Parliament's Monsoon Session on Monday.

The address, when issued by Rajnath Singh on today will be the Government of India's first official statement over the ongoing standoff along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. Triggered by the People's Liberation Army's attempts to alter the status quo in the region, the standoff turned deadly in June when 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of PLA troops lost their lives as the result of a violent clash.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before entering Parliament House ahead of the Monsoon Session on Monday, had told reporters, "Our brave soldiers are guarding the borders amid adverse weather in the mountains. All MPs are united in supporting our soldiers."

"I believe that all members of Parliament will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with our soldiers," the prime minister had said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi less than a week ago in Moscow during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting to discuss the current situation. Both countries later issued a joint statement comprising a five-point action plan to achieve disengagement and de-escalation in Ladakh.

Prior to Jaishankar's meeting, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had met his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe in Moscow to deliberate on the standoff. Multiple rounds of military and diplomatic dialogue have also been held since June to achieve disengagement.

Earlier on Monday, Congress Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury made multiple attempts to seek the Centre's response on the issue. His requests were denied by Speaker Om Birla who told the Congress MP from Bengal's Berhampore that the issue will be taken up in the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

A report by a leading national daily on September 14 also highlighted that a Shenzhen-based firm with links to the Chinese government is closely monitoring a large number of prominent Indians from all walks of life. Among those who are being monitored along with their families are President Ram Nath Kovind, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, businessman Ratan Tata, the Union government, state leaders and actors among others.

Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala and the party's chief whip in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi also sought the Centre's response over the report.

Since the face-off in Galwan Valley, India has taken multiple steps with the objective of sending a stern message to the Chinese. These include a ban on more than a hundred mobile apps, including the mobile version of popular game PUBG.