India's army steps up troop level on China border

NEW DELHI, (AFP) - India has increased the number of troops along its northeastern border with China amid a tense standoff between Delhi and Beijing over a strategically key Himalayan plateau. The “caution level” among the troops has also been raised, the Press Trust of India news agency said, quoting an unnamed government official. “The troop level along the border with China in the Sikkim and Arunachal sectors has been increased,” the official said.

The official however said there was no deployment of extra troops at the tri-junction between India, China and Bhutan, where around 350 Indian army personnel have been locked in a face-off with Chinese troops for nearly seven weeks.

The border trouble began in June when Chinese soldiers started to extend a road through the Doklam territory -- known as “Donglang” in Chinese. The area is disputed between China and Bhutan.

India, a close ally of Bhutan, then deployed troops to stop the construction project, prompting Beijing to accuse India of trespassing on Chinese soil.