Relations between the Asian powers worsened dramatically in June, after Indian and Chinese troops engaged in deadly melee combat in a disputed area in the Galwan River Valley situated between Ladakh, India and China's Tibet Autonomous Region.
Indian troops armed with Russian-made Igla portable shoulder-launched air defence systems have been deployed near the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh amid alleged Chinese helicopter flights along the disputed border area, Asia News International has reported, citing unnamed sources.
In addition to the portable surface to air missile systems, India is also said to have deployed radar and other air defences amid claims that a number of Chinese military helicopters had attempted to enter Indian territory near areas including Galwan Valley and Patrolling Point 14.
Despite millennia of cooperation and close economic ties between their ancient predecessors, modern China and India have faced decades of tensions due to border disputes. On May 10 and then again on June 15, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in clashes which left dozens of servicemen injured and, in the second incident, up to 20 Indian troops and an unknown number of Chinese servicemen dead.
The escalation of tensions has led to both sides increasing their military presence along border areas, and to economic repercussions, with India banning a number of popular Chinese smartphone and desktop applications, and placing ‘security clearance' restrictions on…
