Air chief's trip to China called off, India against 'diplomatic overdrive'

New Delhi: India has rejected Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne's proposed visit to China, a move seen as New Delhi's bid to avoid a diplomatic overdrive at a time it is worried about increased Chinese aggression at the Line of Actual Control.

The air chief, the seniormost military commander across the services, was invited by China to visit this month.

Sources say the ministry of external affairs believes his visit should be preceded by a visit from China.

"Visits of military chiefs are governed by protocol. It is China's turn to send a representative to India," a senior Defence Ministry official told NDTV.

Army Chief Bikram Singh is also scheduled to visit China ahead of a joint military exercise in Chengdu in November, after a gap of almost five years. Sources say Mr Singh's visit and the joint exercise are on track.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is also expected to visit the country this year.

In April, both countries were locked in a three-week tense diplomatic stand-off when Chinese troops took up positions and pitched tents at Daulat Beg Oldie in Ladakh, 19 km into Indian territory.

Last month, even as the two sides held talks to resolve the territorial dispute, Chinese soldiers once again intruded into Indian territory, entering 20-30 km into the Indian side and camping for three days.