Indian, Chinese troops meet to discuss peace

NEW DELHI: A nasty scuffle by Indian and Chinese troops in the Lad akh sector and ways to maintain“peace and tranquility” in the sensitive region were discussed at a marathon meeting between military officers of the two neighbours on Wednesday.

More details weren’t immediately known as the army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police officers refused comments.

The meeting began in the afternoon and continued till late evening.

It was held a day after Chinese troops hurled stones at Indian border troopers, forcing them to retaliate.

Blows were also exchanged, leading to injuries on both sides. The clash near the Pangong Lake, which divides Indian and Chinese territory, was triggered by an incursion bid by Chinese troops, sources said.

The incident happened at a time when the two neighbours are locked in a standoff thou-

sands of miles away in the disputed Doklam plateau. Government sources said a “pre-scheduled border personnel meeting” was held in Ladakh’s Chushul area, adding that the Pangong incident was on the agenda.

The two sides discussed strengthening of existing mechanisms for maintaining border peace and tranquility, the sources said.

Defence minister Arun Jaitley too refused comments.