New Delhi: Situation along the India-China border was reviewed on Tuesday at a high-level meeting convened by the Centre following tension in the forward areas in Sikkim after a scuffle between personnel of the Indian Army and the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The meeting, attended by representatives of the Army and the Indo Tibetan Border Police, besides the home ministry, took stock of the border, particularly in Sikkim, officials said.
Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, 220 km falls in Sikkim. The scuffle between the Indian Army and the PLA, led to Chinese troops damaging bunkers on the Indian side of the border.
The incident happened in the first week of June near the Lalten post in the Doka La general area after a face-off between the two forces, which triggered tension along the frontier.
Situation along the border in Sikkim is closely being monitored, an official said.
After the scuffle, China stopped the travel of Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar through the Nathu La border post in Sikkim.
Meanwhile, government officials described the incident in Sikkim as an attempt by China to open another front along the border.
There have been several incidents of incursion in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh in the past. However, situation in Sikkim has been calm in last 10 years as the border in the state is demarcated.
"As relations between India and China have be blow hot, blow cold after the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the incident could be an attempt by the Chinese side to open confrontation in Sikkim," an official privy to the meeting said.
Sikkim is a part of the middle sector and experts have been warning the government of increased Chinese activities in this area.
China on Tuesday lodged a protest with India over the alleged "crossing of boundary" by its troops in the Sikkim sector and demanded their immediate withdrawal, as Beijing warned that future visits of Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar will depend on the resolution of the standoff.
The last such transgression had happened in Sikkim in November 2008 when Chinese soldiers destroyed some makeshift Indian Army bunkers there.
The meeting, attended by representatives of the Army and the Indo Tibetan Border Police, besides the home ministry, took stock of the border, particularly in Sikkim, officials said.
Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, 220 km falls in Sikkim. The scuffle between the Indian Army and the PLA, led to Chinese troops damaging bunkers on the Indian side of the border.
Situation along the border in Sikkim is closely being monitored, an official said.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, government officials described the incident in Sikkim as an attempt by China to open another front along the border.
Advertisement
"As relations between India and China have be blow hot, blow cold after the Dalai Lama's visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the incident could be an attempt by the Chinese side to open confrontation in Sikkim," an official privy to the meeting said.
Advertisement
China on Tuesday lodged a protest with India over the alleged "crossing of boundary" by its troops in the Sikkim sector and demanded their immediate withdrawal, as Beijing warned that future visits of Indian pilgrims to Kailash Mansarovar will depend on the resolution of the standoff.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Why People In This Indian Hill Paradise Need Not Pay Income Tax Heavy Military Fortifications Near China's Now-Complete Pangong Lake Bridge "It's For Two Of Us To Talk": S Jaishankar On India-China Border Dispute Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Omar Abdullah On What Should Be J&K Assembly's 1st Move After Polls Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case TasteAtlas Shares Top 10 Best And Worst American Foods, Internet Disagrees Telangana Man Dies In US, Family Asks Government To Help Bring Back Body JAM 2025: All You Need To Know About Joint Admission Test For Masters Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.