China tiptoes around Indian air space violation

Tiptoeing around its intrusion of Indian air space in Barahoti region of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, China said its border troops conduct regular patrols there adding the two sides should coordinate over the same.

The assertion comes after Indian External Affairs Minister Swaraj said that India will take up with Beijing the violation of its airspace by two People's Liberation Army (PLA) choppers.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Tuesday, "I want to stress once again that China and India have territorial dispute over the middle section of the boundary. The Chinese border troops conduct regular patrols there."

"We have border-related mechanisms, therefore when problems arise, the two sides should communicate and coordinate through the existing mechanisms and jointly uphold peace and tranquility of the border areas," she added.

Two helicopters of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China hovered over Chamoli district on Saturday, triggering India's concerns about the PLA's fourth such incursion into Indian airspace since March this year.