'Chinese intrusions due to varying border perceptions'

Admitting that Chinese intrusions have been noticed in the past two years in bordering states, Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said the incidents may be due to a "difference in perception" of the border.

Admitting that Chinese intrusions have been noticed in the past two years in bordering states, India says the incidents may be due to a "difference in perception" of the border.

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"Intrusions have been noticed in the past two years in areas of Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh), Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh," Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran told the Lok Sabha.

In a written reply to a question about Chinese intrusions into Indian territory, Ramachandran said that the "intrusions are generally carried out by vehicle-mounted patrols, foot patrols, by boats and even by helicopters".

"However, it is felt that intrusions occur because of difference in perception of the LAC (Line of Actual Control)."

The LAC is an effective border between India and China. The 4,057-km long LAC runs through Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

The two countries are locked in a dragging border dispute. They fought a war in 1962.

"There are institutional mechanisms like flag meetings and border personnel meeting to resolve these issues. Matters are also taken through diplomatic channels by the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs)," he said.

The minister said that the Indian border guards were maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of the border.