India admits to unpleasant 'situations' along China border

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India on Wednesday admitted its border row with China had led to 'situations' on the ground that could have been avoided if both countries had a 'common perception' of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Defence Minister A.K. Antony in written replies to questions in the Rajya Sabha on the border dispute and the resultant transgressions by Chinese forces into Indian territory, said the government had frequently taken up such violations along the LAC with Chinese authorities at the appropriate forum.

"From time to time, on account of difference in the perception of the LAC, situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided if both countries had a common perception of the LAC," Antony said.

He noted that the central government had received reports of such transgressions by Chinese troops from the Jammu and Kashmir government.

"The government regularly takes up any violation along the LAC with the Chinese side through established mechanisms including hot lines, border personnel meetings, flag meetings and diplomatic channels," he said.

However, Antony pointed out that since 1993, the two governments have maintained peace and tranquillity along the LAC in the Sino-Indian border areas, without prejudice to their respective positions on the alignment of the LAC as well as on the boundary question.

"Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it," he added.

Antony noted that China disputes the International Boundary with India and that there is no common delineated LAC in the border areas between the two countries, resulting in the troops of both nations patrolling up to their respective perceptions of the LAC.

To a question on reported aerial incursions by two Chinese military helicopters carrying seven or eight troopers across the LAC into Indian territory in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, Antony said there were 'no confirmed' reports in this regard during the past months, including on August 25.

"Effective border management is carried out through surveillance, regular patrolling by troops and other means," he added.

Antony also admitted that Indian nomads' cattle grazing in Kakjung area near Nyoma sector of Ladakh had been 'disturbed' by Chinese patrols in December 2008.

"A strong protest regarding the same was lodged with the Chinese garrison commander and since then Chinese patrols have not visited the area again. Our nomads are grazing in the area currently without any problem," he added.