NEW DELHI: The US on Friday condoled the death of Indian soldiers, killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, and said their bravery will not be forgotten.
French Ambassador here, Emmanuel Lenain, also conveyed condolences to India, over the death of the soldiers.
"Our heartfelt condolences to the people of India and our thoughts to the mourning families of the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty over the past few days," Lenain tweeted.
Twenty Indian Army personnel, including a colonel, were killed in clashes with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley on Monday night, the biggest military confrontation in over five decades that has significantly escalated the already volatile border standoff in the region.
"The US Mission in India sends our heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who were lost at Galwan. Their bravery and courage will not be forgotten," US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster tweeted.
The casualties from the clashes on the Chinese side are not yet known.
However, government sources, citing an American intelligence report, claimed the total number of soldiers killed and seriously wounded could be 35.