China denies India’s accusation of fresh ‘provocation’ at Ladakh border

Troops have always strictly respected Line of Actual Control and never crossed it, says foreign ministry spokesman

China on Monday denied Indian allegations of fresh "provocation" at Ladakh border, saying that its border troops have always strictly respected the Line of Actual Control and never crossed it.

"Border troops from both sides have maintained communication over issues on the ground," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday at a regular press briefing.

The Galwan Valley, which is part of the disputed Ladakh region, is located on the Chinese side of the actual control line in the western section of the Sino-Indian border. And Chinese soldiers have patrolled the area for many years, according to China's Defence Ministry.

Indian army, in a statement, accused China of carrying out "provocative" movements on their contested Himalayan border near where 20 Indian troops were killed in a battle in June.

The statement said the incidents happened in eastern Ladakh on Saturday night but did not indicate whether there was a new clash.

Chinese People's Liberation Army troops "carried out provocative military movements to change the status quo" at the border, it said.

It added the two sides were holding military talks on Monday.

On June 15, troops from the two sides fought hand-to-hand combat in which 20 Indian troops were killed.

New Delhi and Beijing have blamed each other for the latest frontier tensions between the two sides who fought a border war in 1962 and have been involved in regular showdowns since.

The Chinese and Indian militaries have poured tens of thousands of troops into the region since the June fighting. But their military and diplomatic talks on easing tensions are in an apparent stalemate.

The Indian statement said Chinese troops "violated the consensus" to ease border tensions.

"Indian troops pre-empted this PLA activity on the southern bank of Pangong Tso Lake, undertook measures to strengthen our positions and thwart Chinese intentions to unilaterally change facts on ground," said the ministry.

"A brigade commander level flag meeting is in progress at Chushul to resolve the issues."