China, India troops engage in face-off at Sikkim

Indian and Chinese troops were involved in another brawl on their contested Himalayan border, leaving injuries on both sides, military officials said on Monday.

The fighting on January 20 came six months after a pitched battle which left at least 20 Indian troops dead as well as an unknown number of Chinese casualties.

The world’s two most populous nations have since become embroiled in a diplomatic showdown over their geographical and political differences.

The Indian military played down the latest skirmish as a “minor face-off” at Naku La pass, which connects Sikkim state with Tibet on the Chinese side.

A short statement said the tensions were “resolved by local commanders as per established protocols”. Four Indian troops were injured when a Chinese patrol was forced back, government sources said.

They added that China’s People’s Liberation Army suffered an unknown number of casualties.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said he didn’t have anything to offer on the incident but urged India to exercise restraint.

“I would like to stress though that China’s border troops are committed to upholding peace and tranquillity along the border with India. We urge the Indian side to work in the same direction as us and refrain from actions that might escalate or complicate the situation along the border,” he told a regular news briefing.