Meanwhile, China accused India of obstructing its Army and lodged a protest, saying Indian soldiers entered its territory
The latest military standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Sikkim that began about a fortnight ago is the third one in a month's time on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), escalating tension between the two countries.
The first face-off took place east of Karakoram in mid-May and the second one happened in the Pangong Tso (lake) during boat patrols in June's first week. Both face-offs — in Ladakh — continued for 3-4 days, sources said.
In the latest round, there was also a scuffle as Indian troops pushed back their Chinese counterparts who made attempts to enter Indian territory Doka La general area in Sikkim. Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat is expected to visit Sikkim but the Army did not confirm the development.
Meanwhile, China accused India of obstructing its Army and lodged a protest, saying Indian soldiers entered its territory.
"Our position to uphold our territorial sovereignty is unwavering. We hope the Indian side can work with China in the same direction and immediately withdraw the personnel who have overstepped and trespassed into Chinese border," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in a media briefing in Beijing.
"We have lodged solemn representations in Beijing and New Delhi to elaborate on our solemn position," he said.
A batch of pilgrims to Mansarovar was also stopped by the Chinese as a fallout of the confrontation, and Beijing said on Tuesday that future visits will depend upon the resolution of the standoff.
Earlier, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) came out with a release blaming the India Army for the confrontation.
In the last two years, there has been a dip in such confrontations between Indian and Chinese soldiers. These faces-offs usually take place in areas that fall in the disputed category between the two countries.
...& ANALYSIS
- It's rare for China to officially accuse India of incursion from across the LAC.
- The accusation also comes at a time when there has been a dip in such standoffs.
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