Jaishankar Tells Rahul to ‘Get Facts Straight’ on Galwan Face-Off

Rahul Gandhi's comment that Indian soldiers were sent "unarmed to martyrdom" in the brutal clash with China at Galwan valley in Ladakh provoked a sharp rebuttal from Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who said: "Let's get the facts straight".

Troops on the border always carry arms, said the Foreign Minister, but it is a long standing practice not to use firearms during face-offs.

"Let us get the facts straight. All troops on border duty always carry arms, especially when leaving post. Those at Galwan on 15 June did so. Long-standing practice (as per 1996 & 2005 agreements) not to use firearms during faceoffs," said Mr Jaishankar, replying to Rahul Gandhi's tweet.