India and China In Ladakh Border Dispute

Allegations that Chinese troops have crossed into Indian territory and set up camp are causing tensions between the two countries.

12:59pm UK, Wednesday 01 May 2013

Indian students protesting in Hyderabad stamp on a Chinese flag

By Neville Lazarus, Sky News Asia Producer

A military stand-off between China and India in the Himalayan mountains is heightening tensions between the emerging superpowers.

India has accused the Chinese military of crossing the border into its territory by almost 10 miles and of setting up military tents with about 50 troops.

Indian television pictures show these tents, vehicles and soldiers crossing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) - the effective border between the two countries - at the Daulat Beg Oldie sector which is at an altitude of 17,000ft. 

The Indian establishment was further angered when a red banner was put up which read: "You are on Chinese side."

China's foreign ministry spokeswoman said from Beijing: "Our troops are patrolling the Chinese side of the LAC and have not trespassed the line, and we are willing to solve the boundary question through peaceful negotiations."

Much of the Ladakh region is dominated by tough mountainous terrain

The issue is threatening to blow up into a major diplomatic row before the visit of new Chinese premier Li Keqiang to India later in May.

The Indian side is playing down the issue, with Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid saying the incident is just "acne" which "can be addressed by simply applying an ointment".

But India's opposition parties accuse the government of cowardice and of failing to stand up to Chinese aggression. 

Sky sources say India is unprepared for any large scale incursion on its northern borders, claiming that rapid movement of troops and machinery would be difficult due to a lack of infrastructure.

The two militaries held a third "flag meeting" on April 30 but failed to end the stand-off.

The dispute threatens to cast a shadow over Li Keqiang's visit to India

While the Indians want an unconditional withdrawal of troops, the Chinese insist India dismantles infrastructure, including recently built vantage point bunkers on its side of the border in Eastern Ladakh.

Reports that the Indian army may have moved tanks and an infantry regiment specialising in mountain warfare and and set up an advanced landing ground to aid troop deployment have heightened the tensions between the two countries. 

China defeated India in a 1962 war, which started primarily due to a border dispute over the Ladakh region.

China still claims around 35,000 square miles of land in the northeast of India and 15 rounds of talks between the neighbours have failed to produce much progress.

India's support of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and China's role as an ally and major arms supplier to Pakistan are further sources of tension between the two countries.