Modi raises incursion issue with Xi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping the latest incident of incursion by Chinese troops into Indian territory during their meeting in Ahmedabad Wednesday, the external affairs ministry said Thursday.

Ahead of talks between Modi and Xi at Hyderabad House Thursday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that India would raise the incursion issue by Chinese troops into Ladakh area.

Nearly 1,000 Chinese troops crossed about five km into Indian territory Wednesday in Ladakh's Chumar sector, even as the troops of both sides held a flag meeting at the brigadier-level in Chushul.

"When leaders of important countries like India and China meet at summit level, these are occasions for discussing substance. So, I can assure you that process has already started. Yesterday, the issues of substance that you are referring to have already been raised at the highest level.

"Today, there are several opportunities for discussion and all issues of a substantive nature, including the recent events that you are referring to, will be addressed. I can assure you that we will tell you the outcome once those discussions are done," Akbaruddin said, to a question on the incursion.

He said that "India and China have a very broad-based relationship".

"We are focused on multiple areas of cooperation and we will continue to pursue those areas of cooperation too. I will give you the outcomes of these once the detailed discussions are completed today. But, again let me assure you with all sincerity these issues have been raised and issues of concern including the recent events will also continue to be discussed today," he added.

The Chinese president began a three-day visit to India Wednesday with a six-hour visit to Ahmedabad where Modi took Xi around the Sabarmati Ashram and later they strolled down the Sabarmati riverfront.