India, China in touch over border incursion in Ladakh

New Delhi, April 20 (IANS) India and China are in touch over reported incursion by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, government sources said Saturday, adding that it is an area where there are "differing perceptions" of the Line of Actual Control and such incidents are resolved peacefully.

According to reports, about 50 troops of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) ventured 10 km inside Indian territory in the Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) sector in eastern Ladakh and erected a tent on April 15. The area is at an altitude of about 17,000 feet.

"This is an area where there have been differing perceptions of the Line of Actual Control. Incidents do occur and are resolved peacefully on the basis of bilateral agreements which exist and mechanisms provided for in these agreements.

"Both sides are in touch on this availing the Working mechanism for consultation and coordination on India-China border Affairs, which is headed by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Director General Border Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," said an official source.

"We are confident that the current incident too will also be peacefully resolved on this basis," the source added.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP), which mans that stretch of the border, has asked for a flag meeting with the Chinese side but there has been no response till now.