China, India at odds over trigger for troop brawl at disputed Himalayan border
- Indian defence chief says PLA soldiers tried to ‘change the status quo’ at border flashpoint
- Beijing says situation is stable after Indian troops ‘illegally’ crossed the border
China and India have given conflicting accounts about the cause of a clash in a disputed Himalayan border region last week that left soldiers on both sides with minor injuries.
Long Shaohua, a spokesman from the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) Western Theatre Command, said the clash happened during a regular border patrol on Friday when Chinese troops were intercepted by their Indian counterparts, who were “illegally crossing the border”.
“Our troops’ response is professional, firm and standard, which has helped to stabilise the situation,” Long said on Tuesday. “Both sides have been under disengagement since then.”
China’s foreign ministry confirmed the clash happened last week, saying both Indian and Chinese troops suffered “minor injuries”.