分类： bharat

With the release of 10 Indian Army personnel who were in captivity of the Chinese army for three days, the dialogue between the two countries is expected to get back on track to discuss further disengagement at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.

Ten Indian Army personnel, including four officers, were released by China on Thursday evening.

Over the last three days, discussions during the Major General-level talks revolved around release of the 10 Indian Army personnel who were held captive by the Chinese after the fierce clash in Galwan Valley. Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a commanding officer, were killed in action.

After the release on Thursday, no talks were scheduled for Friday, but a dialogue for further disengagement is likely to continue later, sources said.

On Thursday, the Army and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said no Indian army personnel were missing or not accounted for.

Since the brutal clash of June 15, the Major Generals of both armies met for three consecutive days to discuss the release of Indian Army soldiers. It is, however, not clear what led to Indians being taken in captivity by the Chinese.

While the 10 Indian army men returned to their units, the situation on the ground remains volatile as a troop build-up continues in Galwan Valley area and the Pangong Lake where a stand-off continues since May 5.

The ugliest clash took place on June 15 in Galwan Valley but there have been skirmishes at the north bank of the Pangong Lake where the Chinese have set up a camp at a point which was always under Indian control in a bid to change status quo.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India should be the world’s largest coal exporters considering the size of reserves it has and unlocking of coal mining for commercial players is a step in that direction.

Launching the virtual auction process of 41 coal blocks for commercial mining, expected to garner Rs 33,000 crore of capital investment in the country over next 5-7 years, the Prime Minister said it is a major step in the direction of achieving ‘self-reliance’.

He also said that the coronavirus pandemic has taught India to be self-reliant.

The launch of the auction process not only marks the beginning of unlocking of the country’s coal sector from the “lockdown of decades”, but aims at making India the largest exporter of coal, PM Modi said.

Despite being the world’s fourth largest producer at present, he said India is the second-largest importer of the dry-fuel.

“The country which the fourth-largest in terms of coal reserves and is the second-largest coal producer, that country is not exporting coal. But is the second-largest importer of coal. The big question is if India is the one of the largest coal producers in the world, then why can’t we become the largest exporter,” Modi said.

The PM further said, “To make India self-reliant in the energy sector, a major step is being taken. In the near future, we will be the major exporters of the products that we import now “.

He said, “India will turn this COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity. It has taught India to be self-reliant and we will reduce our dependence on imports.”

The Prime Minister also said that the government has set an aim of gasification of 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore.

Petrol price on Wednesday was hiked by 55 paise per litre and diesel by 60 paise a litre, marking the 11th consecutive day of increase in rates that now totals to Rs 6.02 for petrol and Rs 6.4 for diesel.

Petrol price in Delhi was hiked to Rs 77.28 per litre from Rs 76.73, while diesel rates were increased to Rs 75.79 a litre from Rs 75.19, according to a price notification of state oil marketing companies.

Rates have been increased across the country and vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT.

This is the 11th straight day of increase in rates since oil companies on June 7 restarted revising prices in line with costs, after ending an 82-day hiatus in rate revision.

The freeze in rates was imposed in mid-March soon after the government hiked excise duty on petrol and diesel to shore up additional finances.

Oil PSUs Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) instead of passing on the excise duty hikes to customers adjusted them against the fall in the retail rates that was warranted because of fall in international oil prices.

In 11 hikes, petrol price has gone up by Rs 6.02 per litre and diesel by Rs 6.4 a litre.

Petrol price hiked by 55 paise/litre, diesel by 60 paise; 11th straight day of increase