Rajnath Singh inaugurates a renovated war memorial in Rezang La, Ladakh

On Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled a revamped war memorial in eastern Ladakh's Rezang La, the site of a 59-year-old epic battle at an altitude of 18,000 feet in which over 100 Indian troops inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese military, demonstrating indomitable grit and bravery.

The battle of Rezang La is often regarded as the finest event in the Indian Army's six-decade-long conflict with China.

Mr Singh paid his respects to the dead soldiers by describing the monument as an example of the Indian Army's tenacity and indomitable courage, which he said is "not only immortal in the pages of history, but still beats in our hearts."

The defence minister said the "battle of Rezang La is considered one of the 10 greatest and most challenging military conflicts in the world."

"The historic battle of Rezang La, fought at an altitude of 18,000 feet, is difficult to imagine even today. Major Shaitan Singh and his fellow soldiers fought till ''last bullet and last breath'' and wrote a new chapter of bravery and sacrifice," he said.

"I am saluting the 114 Indian soldiers who made supreme sacrifices in the 1962 war after reaching Rezang La, located amidst the inaccessible hills of Ladakh," Mr Singh tweeted.

The fight of Rezang La began about 4 a.m. on November 18, 1962, and continued until around 10 p.m., during which the Kumaon Regiment's 'C' company, led by Major Shaitan Singh, not only held their own but also inflicted considerable casualties on the Chinese despite being outmanned.

Major Singh received the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, after his death.

Mr Singh also met with Brig (retd) R B Jatar, a veteran of the fight of Rezang La.

"I am overwhelmed by the feeling of respect for him and I salute his courage. May God keep them healthy and live long," Mr Singh said.

The newly renovated war memorial has reopened at a time when India and China have been involved in a severe border dispute in eastern Ladakh for nearly a year and a half.

Following China's aggressive posturing and failed attempt to frighten Indian forces, the Indian Army took a number of mountain summits in the Rezang La region in August last year.

The Indian and Chinese forces clashed in eastern Ladakh on May 5 last year after a deadly conflict in the Pangong lake areas, and both sides gradually increased their deployment by pouring in tens of thousands of soldiers and heavy equipment.

Following a tragic altercation in Galwan Valley on June 15, last year, tensions grew.

The two sides concluded the disengagement process in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in February, and in the Gogra area in August, following a series of military and diplomatic talks.

On October 10, the most recent round of military discussions resulted in a deadlock, with both parties blaming one other for the deadlock.

The Indian Army said in a forceful statement released after the 13th session of talks that its "constructive suggestions" were not accepted by the Chinese side and that Beijing could not make any "forward-looking" solutions.

In the sensitive region, each side has between 50,000 and 60,000 troops deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).