Chinese soldiers reportedly transgressed into Barahoti in Uttarakhand on July 25. This comes even as both the countries are involved in a standoff in the Doklam region located along the Sikkim border.
According to reports, the Chinese troops entered 800 metres to one kilometre inside the Indian territory and retreated after nearly two hours. It all happened when the Chinese soldiers entered Indian territory and asked a group of shepherdsto vacate the land, PTI reported.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which was patrolling the area, raised the issue with the soldiers after which they went back.
A similar incident was reported last year in July when the Chinese army entered 200 metres into the Barholi area of Uttarakhand. Then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had said that the border has not been demarcated and, therefore, both India and China have a "different perception" about it.
India and China are already involved in a major standoff for over a month now in the Doklam or Doka La region, also known as the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction, located along the Sikkim border. The conflict between the two countries is believed to be the most serious border dispute of late.
It all started after China accused India of violating border agreement saying Indian troops had allegedly entered the Doklam region and stopped the Chinese troops from constructing a road. India responded by saying the border dispute is yet to be resolved and China should "desist from changing the status quo."
Meanwhile, India has accused China of building roads on the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction and its People's Liberation Army (PLA) of intruding into Indian territory in Sikkim and destroying bunkers, while China has claimed India is provoking them and the issue can be resolved only if India withdraws its troops.
Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj had said in Parliament that it was only "fair" for both countries to withdraw troops from the conflicted region so that talks could take place. She had also said that if China unilaterally changed the status quo of the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction, then it would pose a challenge for India's security.
